The Netherlands considers tougher laws on complementary practitioners

Government inspectors who investigated the death from breast cancer in 2001 of the Dutch actress and comedienne Sylvia Millecam criticised the treatment and advice she received from CAM practitioners. The diagnosis of breast cancer by her doctors was contradicted by CAM practitioners, who offered her the prospect of a cure with ‘unfounded methods of treatment’. She saw a series of different practitioners and was treated with electro-acupuncture, faith healing, salt therapy and psychic healing. The Dutch Healthcare Inspectorate calls for measures to improve protection against ‘dangerous quackery’. It wants the law changed to ensure greater supervision of alternative practitioners and wants it made illegal for anyone other than a trained doctor to make a medical diagnosis.

BMJ 2004; 328: 485.