Source: www.wellbeing.com.au
In the late 19th century, modern medicine was practiced as the mainstream medicine in Malaysia with traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) treatments mushroomed as a complement. A Recent local study has found that a significant prevalence of more than 70% Malaysian had used T&CM in their lifetime regardless of age, race and economic status. Despite the fact that a large number of health therapies lack any scientific validity, the perceived benefits of T&CM continue to be promoted. This has urged the Ministry of Health to take a proactive approach to nurture T&CM by ensuring the quality and safety of local practices and products.
According to National Policy of Traditional & Complementary Medicine, Ministry of Health Malaysia (2007), T&CM means a form of health-related practices designed to prevent, treat and manage illnesses or preserve mental and physical well-being of individuals, with alternatives and complementary therapies. It excludes medical or dental practices utilized by registered medical/ dental practitioners.
T&CM Division has also conducted numerous promotional activities, carried out enforcement activities and published Malaysian guidelines since year 2007. In Malaysia, T&CM are classified into Traditional Malay Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Indian Medicine, Homeopathy, Complementary Medicine and Islamic Medical Practice, which are based on theory, beliefs and experiences that are from various cultures and handed down from generation to generation. The example of well known T &CM practices in our country are acupunctuare, Malay massage, Ayurveda, and herbal therapy
It cannot be denied that western medicine has significant contributions in treating acute infections, traumatic injury, situations which required surgery and other illness such as cancer. But in recent years, the effectiveness of T&CM has adopted the concept of therapeutic and wellness. Sometimes patient may gather information from unreliable sources, exposing themselves to unneeded risks. They want to feel hopeful, enhance body’s defenses, use less toxic treatments, or reduce side effects of treatments. At times, this information is not correct and occasionally can be dangerous. Just because something is natural or holistic does not mean it could not damage our health or well-being.
Complementary and alternative therapies are now increasingly popular and the public demand for information and treatment is growing rapidly. Consumer education is the best way to ensure public safety. Therefore, it is essential that all health practitioners should have good knowledge of the main aspects of T&CM and also be aware that some patients may want to complement prescription medicines with alternative therapy.
Fiona Benjamin is a pharmacist working in Melaka.
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[This article belongs to The Malaysian Medical Gazette. Any republication (online or offline) without written permission from The Malaysian Medical Gazette is prohibited.]