Guidelines on Developing Consumer Information on Proper Use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 1. General Considerations: 1.3 Proper use of TM/CAM by consumers

Guidelines on Developing Consumer Information on Proper Use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(2004; 109 pages)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
Glossary
1. General Considerations
	1.1 The benefits of TM/CAM
	1.2 The risks involved in the use of TM/CAM
	1.3 Proper use of TM/CAM by consumers
	1.4 Additional important aspects for the proper use of TM/CAM
2. Development of Consumer Information
	2.1 Cultural influence
	2.2 Health system structure
	2.3 Utilization
3. General Principles and Activities for Ensuring Reliable TM/CAM Information
	3.1 How to develop reliable information
	3.2 Dissemination of information
		3.2.1 TM/CAM information centre
		3.2.2 TM/CAM surveillance system
		3.2.3 The media
		3.2.4 Other information activities
		3.2.5 Activities promoting rational use of medicines
	3.3 Regulatory mechanisms for information and advertisements
4. Topics to Consider when Developing Consumer Information Promoting Proper Use of TM/CAM
	4.1 General information
	4.2 Where to find reliable information
	4.3 How to identify reliable information
	4.4 TM/CAM medication therapies
		4.4.1 Therapeutic claims
		4.4.2 Quality
		4.4.3 Precautions
		4.4.4 Adverse events
		4.4.5 Potent and/or toxic TM/CAM medication therapies
		4.4.6 Interactions and contraindications
		4.4.7 Posology
		4.4.8 Methods of administration
		4.4.9 Self-medication
		4.4.10 Preparation of TM/CAM medication therapies
		4.4.11 Children, pregnant or lactating women and the elderly
	4.5 Procedure-based TM/CAM therapies
		4.5.1 Therapeutic claims
		4.5.2 Precautions
	4.6 Practitioners
	4.7 Pricing and health insurance coverage
5. Use of this Publication
References
Annexes
	Annex I. Leaflets Promoting Proper Use of TM/CAM Published by the Department of Health, Hong Kong SAR, China
	Annex II. Things to Know about Evaluating Medical Resources on the Internet*
	Annex III Medical Products on the Internet: A Guide to Finding Reliable Information
	Annex IV Licence Symbol, Swissmedic¹
	Annex V. Selected WHO Publications and Documents on Traditional Medicine
	Annex VI. List of Participants
Back Cover

1.3 Proper use of TM/CAM by consumers

In view of the benefits and risks of TM/CAM therapies, efforts to ensure proper use of TM/CAM need to involve a wide range of stakeholders including consumers, governments, health authorities, NGOs, professional and consumer organizations, and TM/CAM researchers. Proper use of TM/CAM by consumers is a relative term that is influenced by the local culture and context (see section 2.1) and primarily dependent on the individual’s knowledge and ability to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits of TM/CAM use.

The following is a checklist of basic questions which may be used by consumers to help facilitate proper use of TM/CAM.

• Is the therapy suitable for treating the condition?

• Does the therapy have the potential to prevent, alleviate and/or cure symptoms or in other ways contribute to improved health and well-being?

• Is the therapy or herbal medicines provided by a qualified (preferably registered and certified) TM/CAM or health care practitioner with adequate training background, good skills and knowledge?

• Are the herbal medicinal products or materials of assured quality and what are the contraindications and precautions?

• Are the therapies or herbal medicinal products available at a competitive price?