A new consideration for CAM in the Commission?
On 7 May 2009, MEP Hiltrud Breyer (Greens/Germany) submitted a written question to the European Commission on EU funding for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The question is very timely inquiry and comes at a moment when the Commission seems to have begun taking into account CAM in its research projects following years of inaction.
“Over 100 million people in the EU use alternative and complementary medicine — and the figure is rising. The great importance of complementary medicine for Europe’s citizens is not reflected in EU funding for research or in other funding, such as the Innovative Medicines Initiative” [1] she writes.
Awaiting the Commission’s response, it is a good opportunity to examine the evolution of the CAM issue at the European level over the past few years and to discuss possible future developments. Indeed, MEP Breyer’s question couldn’t have come at a better time, following years of drought for initiatives on CAM. The decisions establishing the Second Programme of Community Action in the Field of Health 2008-2013 specified that “it should recognise the importance of a holistic approach to public health and take into account, where appropriate and where there is scientific or clinical evidence about its efficacy, complementary and alternative medicine in its action.” [2]
The matter of knowing how the Commission will proceed in doing so is particularly relevant as concrete actions on CAM have been constantly demanded by its advocates since 1997, when the European Parliament adopted a report on "non-conventional medicine". Even though this text was weakened before adoption and disappointed many, it called on the Commission to conduct a variety of studies on CAM. Twelve years later, the Commission has still not responded to this expectations. More recently, studies on CAM were recommended to the Commission in the 6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (2002-2006) but, again, nothing has been done.
It seems that research on CAM has been discriminated against to a certain extent by the European Commission in terms of funding, despite clear and repeated legal inquiries. Nevertheless, the situation looks set to improve for CAM, as they can count on the support of a growing number of patients in Europe. In addition, Member States have begun to look for new ways to control their health care expenditure. The 7th Framework Programme was launched in June 2007 with explicit calls for research on CAM. On 1 May 2009, a €995,100 fund for a project was awared to King’s College London to find ways to unify Chinese and Western approaches to medicine entitled "Good Practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in the Post-genomic Era". [3]
A highly integrated and holistic approach to healthcare is necessary to improve health outcomes. More traditional western approaches to medicine must take into account the benefits that can be drawn from many innovative sources. Not only have high costs led to a need for the exploration of other options, but action is needed to tackle some side-effects of traditional western medication such as anti-microbial resistance. CAM may help to contribute to a cost-effective healthcare system, especially in the field of chronic diseases, and may prevent overuse of certain medications. Europe’s health agenda might benefit from the consideration of the integration of complementary medicine into the healthcare system for the benefit of the patient.
For more information
International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations
European Committee for Homeopathy
European Council for Classical Homeopathy
European Council of Doctors for Plurality in Medicine
European Federation of Patients’ Associations for Anthroposophic Medicine
Wiener Internationale Akademie fur Ganzheitsmedizin
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