Healthy Skepticism Library item: 9967

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Day M.
Mapping the alternative route
BMJ 2007 May 5; 334:(7600):929
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7600/929

Abstract:

Regulation of complementary practitioners such as acupuncturists, herbalists, and therapists to weed out the charlatans and protect the public sounds uncontroversial. But, as Michael Day reports, proposals announced in last month’s white paper seem to have brought more questions than answers

For a long time complementary medicine was seen, by the public at least, as the gentle alternative to conventional treatment. It might not work, but at least it didn’t carry the risks associated with synthetic drugs. That romantic notion was challenged more than a decade ago when nine women in previously good health developed end stage kidney disease months after receiving Chinese herbal treatment at a Belgium slimming clinic.1

But toxic herbs are not the only concern. A swift trawl through Google seems to back suggestions by the UK Health Professions Council, the regulatory body for 13 healthcare professions (box), that there are now over 100 000 counsellors and therapists practising in the United Kingdom. In February, the council’s chief executive, Marc Seale, summed up the current situation: “At present you could come out of Wormwood Scrubs and set yourself up as a counsellor.”

Health Professions Council’s current responsibilities

Arts therapists

Biomedical scientists

Chiropodists . . .