Wednesday, 26 November 2008

NPS complementary medicine survey

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) has announced it will be releasing reports on research it has undertaken into the complementary medicine information needs of consumers, GPs and pharmacists.  Preliminary findings released by NPS show that health professionals expressed a need for easily accessible, independent and evidence-based information.

The National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) looks forward to reviewing the results when the full report is released in December.   NICM's Executive Director Professor Alan Bensoussan supports the view that there is a need for improved access to reliable, evidence based complementary medicine (CM) information for consumers and healthcare professionals.   

"There is a growing body of evidence to support the use of many CM interventions relating to specific conditions and there needs to be a balanced approach in reporting the effectiveness, safety and appropriate application of these treatments," said Professor Bensoussan. 

"Information on complementary medicines interventions needs to become more sophisticated and to go beyond just general safety.  Ideally it should create an understanding of potential benefits if used in an integrated health environment, effects of dosage and the risks relating to interactions."

NICM spokespeople will be available for comment once they have had the opportunity to review the full report in December 2008.

NICM was established to help address the gap between Australian's high CM usage and the body of evidence to support its use by providing leadership and support for strategically directed research addressing national priorities.   A core objective of the Institute is to identify and develop sources of accurate information and efficient mechanisms for sharing data and disseminating information about current research activity and evidence of safety, quality and efficacy of complementary medicine.

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Dimity Pinto at NICM on 0412 164 333 or 02 4620 3703