WHO to define information standards for traditional medicine
WHO will develop, for the first time, a classification of traditional medicine, paving the way for the objective evaluation of its benefits.
Creating an evidence base for traditional medicine
The International Classification of Traditional Medicine
project will assist in creating an evidence base for traditional
medicine – producing terminologies and classifications for diagnoses and
interventions.
"We recognize that the use of traditional medicine is
widespread. For many people – especially in the Western Pacific,
South-East Asia, Africa and Latin America – traditional medicine is the
primary source of health care," said Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Assistant
Director-General of Innovation, Information, Evidence and Research at
WHO. "Throughout the rest of the world, particularly Europe and North
America, use of herbal medicines, acupuncture, and other traditional
medicine practices is increasing. Global classification and terminology
tools, for traditional medicine, however, have been lacking."
International plataform to harmonize data
The International Classification of Traditional Medicine will
have an interactive web-based platform to allow users from all countries
to document the terms and concepts used in traditional medicine.
"Several countries have created national standards for the
classification of traditional medicine but there is no international
platform that allows the harmonization of data for clinical,
epidemiological and statistical use. There is a need for this
information to allow clinicians, researchers and policy-makers to
comprehensively monitor safety, efficacy, use, spending and trends in
health care," said Kieny.
The classification will initially focus on traditional
medicine practices from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea that have
evolved and spread worldwide.
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