Natural medicine research receives funding

Tegan Fleming

Senator Jan McLucas, parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, announced the funding at the third International Congress on Complementary Medicine Research held in Sydney last month.

"Complementary medicine usage represents a substantial proportion of activity in the Australian health care sector," Senator McLucas said in a statement.

"There is growing testimony that complementary medicine can make a significant, cost-effective contribution to public health in chronic-disease management and in preventative care.

"Until now there has been a gap between those who believe in and use complementary medicine and the strength of evidence to support that use. Today's announcement is intended to help bridge the gap," she said.

$1.74 million was provided to establish three new Collaborative Centres for Complementary Medicine funded through the National Institute for Complementary Medicines, while $5.3 million was provided for 13 projects funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council.

The research will look at traditional Chinese medicine, nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, neurorecognition, and the use of complementary medicines in type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, psychosis and Alzheimer's disease.

Juliet Siefert, director of the Australian Self-Medication Industry (ASMI), the body representing non-prescription consumer health care products, welcomed the government's decision.

Ms Siefert said the funding would help to build a stronger evidence base to inform the widespread use of complementary medicines.

 "There is a real need for research that can provide clinical evidence to assist health professionals and consumers to select those products that are best for them.

 "Many Australians have turned to complementary medicines as a means of both treating illness and maintaining good health or as part of an integrated strategy of preventative health," she said.

Herbal medicines company Flordis, which received funding to trial its dyspepsia product Iberogast, also welcomed the government's announcement.

Nigel Pollard, managing director of Flordis, said the funding was an important step forward in recognising the legitimacy of clinically proven natural medicines.