Traditional medicine has a long history in Fiji and is still used today. Practitioners include herbalists, masseurs, and bone setters.

Legal Status

In addition to Fijian traditional medicines, traditional medicines from other countries, e.g., China, India, and Korea are imported. The existing Pharmacy and Poisons Act of Fiji permits importation of traditional medicines for use by ethnic communities. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board issues import certificates for herbal medicines provided that they make no therapeutic claims. If a therapeutic claim is made on the label or any accompanying leaflet, the Board does not approve an import certificate. The importer is requested to present information which proves the therapeutic claims [132].

The Fiji National Drug Policy recommends that the government encourage and support research in traditional medicines. The existing legislation is being re-drafted and is intended to recognize herbal medicines so that their quality, safety, and efficacy may be controlled. The Ministry of Health recognizes the potential danger in the use of products for which quality, safety and efficacy have not been controlled [133,134].

The Ministry of Health has established a Traditional Medicines Committee but up to now there are no results available [132].