Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2004; 9: 21–2
The use and demand for CAM by both patients and medical professionals is a strongly growing component of European healthcare systems. In parallel, the industrial production of pharmaceutical and nutritional products, technical devices and machines related to CAM is increasing enormously and has become rather complex, especially after the further extension of the member countries of the EU in May 2004.
Knowledge about CAM is very limited regarding epidemiology, basic research, efficacy, effectiveness and safety therefore the WHO recently has claimed an increase in the information available on benefits and risks of CAM in the interest of governments and consumers worldwide.
Due to the differences in European healthcare systems in addition to the general problems, the structures, methods, socio-economic aspects, etc. involved in CAM are not transparent. In contrast to the USA, funding of research in CAM in Europe is still very low. Research in CAM has not been part of the recent EU research programmes (Frameworks 1–6): this should be changed.
As the development of Framework 7 already has begun, the CAM in FP7 group was founded in June 2004. So far, five EU countries are represented. The poster will present recent activities, addresses and strategies of this group in the hope of attracting further European participants in several countries, and ideas and contacts to promote CAM research in the EU.
