WHO TM - National policies and legal framework

Great caution generally should be exercised 

when developing TM/CAM policies

Careful assessment has first to be made of the use and practice of TM/CAM in the relevant country and the most appropriate means of using TM/CAM to help meet its health care goals. 

National policies should benefit patients using TM/CAM therapies.

They fail to provide this benefit if they are:

• unable to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of TM/CAM products and practices;
• unduly restrict the practice of TM/CAM;
• lead to higher health care costs;
• unjustifiably hinder patient treatment options;
• reduce the ability of allopathic medicine practitioners to cross-refer patients.