The Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has been concerned with reports of non-evidence based complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) being used in place of evidence-based treatments for patients with serious but treatable conditions.
To address these concerns, the NHMRC Strategic Plan 2010-2012 identified ‘examining alternative therapy claims’ as a major health issue for consideration by the organisation, including the provision of research funding.
The term CAM refers to a wide range of health care practices, therapies, procedures and devices that are not presently considered within the domain of conventional medicine. In the Australian context this includes, but is not limited to: acupuncture; aromatherapy; chiropractic; homeopathy; massage; meditation and relaxation therapies; naturopathy; osteopathy; reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine; and the use of vitamin supplements.
Funding scientific research
Since 2001, NHMRC has provided more than $75 million in funding for rigorous scientific research into complementary medicine and alternative therapies.
Resources for health professionals on CAMs
NHMRC is developing guidance for health professionals to assist them in discussing the use of CAM with their patients.
Homeopathy review
NHMRC is currently reviewing the evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy. The homeopathy review will comprise a systematic review of available systematic reviews (Overview) on the effectiveness of homeopathy in treating a variety of clinical conditions in humans. NHMRC will also evaluate and consider published guidelines, other government reports and evidence submitted to the NHMRC. The findings of this homeopathy review will inform the development of an NHMRC information paper and position statement on homeopathy which will be made available to the Australian community to assist people in making informed decisions about their health care.
A Homeopathy Working Committee has been established to advise on this work. The committee membership includes researchers and experts in evidence-based medicine and complementary and alternative medicine.
Information about the membership of the Homeopathy Working Committee can be found here.
The Australian public will be invited to provide feedback on the NHMRC’s information paper and position statement through public consultation. Public consultation will occur later than originally expected, due to the large number of clinical conditions being considered in the Overview and the robust quality assurance process that supports all NHMRC health advice products. Public consultation is now expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2013.
If you have any queries regarding the homeopathy review, please contact NHMRC at ComplementaryMedicine@nhmrc.gov.au.
Terms of Reference for the Homeopathy Working Committee
1. The Homeopathy Working Committee will guide the development of a review of the literature addressing the effectiveness of homeopathy (the Homeopathy Review) by providing advice to the Office of the NHMRC on:
a) methods to identify relevant published guidelines, systematic reviews, government reports and evidence submitted by relevant bodies; and
b) methods to evaluate relevant published guidelines, systematic reviews, government reports and evidence submitted by relevant bodies.
2. The Homeopathy Working Committee will consider the outcomes of the Homeopathy Review and use these findings to inform the development of:
a) an information paper1on homeopathy; and
b) position statement2 on homeopathy, for consideration by NHMRC Council.
3. The Homeopathy Working Committee will advise on the Homeopathy Review, information paper and position statement for NHMRC’s Health Care Committee, before recommendation to Council.
The Homeopathy Working Committee is effective from 2 April 2012 and appointments are currently scheduled to conclude on 30 June 2013. The Homeopathy Working Committee will report to NHMRC’s Health Care Committee.
1An information paper “gives sufficient information to enable the target audience to understand the issues and options associated with a particular topic”. The paper will summarise the evidence but will not make any recommendations about the use of homeopathy.
2A position statement “declares NHMRC’s particular position in a current area of debate, and outlines the rationale for that position”.
Review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance
As announced in the 2012-13 Budget, the Department of Health and Ageing will undertake a review of the Australian Government Rebate on Private Health Insurance for natural therapies (the Review). The Review will examine the evidence of clinical efficacy, cost effectiveness and safety and quality of natural therapies.
NHMRC has been commissioned by the Department of Health and Ageing to perform a series of systematic reviews of systematic reviews (Overviews) of the scientific literature examining the effectiveness and where available, the safety and cost effectiveness of a number of natural therapies.
The outcomes of these reviews will be provided to the Department of Health and Ageing to assist them in formulating the Review findings.