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Complementary and alternative therapeutics: rigorous research is needed to support claims
Jane F Kinsel1, Stephen E Straus
1National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. kinselj@nccam.nih.gov
Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
|January 24, 2003
Summary
Interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) led to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in 1998. This overview discusses CAM research challenges, regulatory differences, and NCCAM's role.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Regulatory Science
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Public interest in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) modalities spurred the creation of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in 1998.
- NCCAM is a component of the National Institutes of Health, reflecting a growing recognition of CAM's significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of CAM.
- To compare regulatory requirements for drugs versus CAM/botanical products.
- To identify challenges and opportunities in CAM research and highlight NCCAM's supportive role.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing data on CAM.
- Comparative analysis of regulatory frameworks for pharmaceuticals and CAM products.
- Examination of research methodologies and outcomes in the CAM field.
Main Results:
- Significant differences exist in regulatory pathways for drugs and CAM/botanical products.
- Conducting rigorous research on CAM safety and efficacy presents unique challenges.
- Opportunities for advancing CAM research are present, with NCCAM playing a key role.
Conclusions:
- The establishment of NCCAM signifies a commitment to understanding and evaluating CAM.
- Addressing regulatory and research challenges is crucial for advancing evidence-based CAM.
- NCCAM is instrumental in fostering and supporting scientific inquiry into CAM therapies.
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