Are you a recognised medical professional?

April 16, 2004

Dear List,

Before I go on.......I freely admit my naivety to the education

training and recognition level of TCM practitioners in Europe and the

USA.

With all the talk about losing this herb and that vitamin; it has made

me wonder how my fellow practitioners are actually recognized in their

countries. There is no doubt that a fight must be entered.........but

on what level? As individuals with no more professional recognition

than the general public or as qualified specialists in a system of

health care?

To my knowledge VERY few countries actually have a registration board

at governmental legislative level for acupuncture and/or TCM

practitioners. Australia was the first to my knowledge but others have

recently followed.....and the UK seems to be in the process of this at

the moment.

My whole interest in this issue revolves around the HUGE difference in

access to any substance, herbal or pharmaceutical, to the general

public versus a health professional.

The banning of ephedrae in terms of over the counter dietary

supplements is sensible, and I think most on this list would agree.

There are certainly many herbal products that should be taken off the

shelves and put in the hands of professionals only. The crux I suppose

is the issue of the continued access of ephedra and other potentially

dangerous products to the 'qualified' TCM practitioner.

I truly feel that the major priority for TCM practitioners is FIRST

getting recognition as professional health care providers in law with a

registration board similar to MD's, Vets etc with a scope of practice

and attached rights. THEN we have a leg to stand on when seeking

exemptions to bans of herbal products. Without this, we are just

another member of the public with some interest in " hippy medicine " in

the eyes of the uninformed (who are often those in power).

Best Wishes,

Dr. Steven J Slater

Practitioner and Acupuncturist

Mobile: 0418 343 545

chinese_medicine

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