E-drug: Integrating Traditional medicine into health systems (cont)
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Dr Samba remarked: "What we have seen in Burkina Faso is positive
proof and conclusive evidence that there are positive aspects in
African traditional medicines".
Was there a control group of close orthodox care with traditional
care but with placebo or no traditional medicine (perhaps unethical
from the
traditional healer's point of view)? Until these claims are investigated in
a rigorous scientific manner and published for peer review the sceptics
will hold sway. Most people in the scientific community are probably
convinced that the societal & psychological aspects/approaches of the
traditional healers are the most important factors behind many of the
observed 'positive aspects'. Until there are randomised controlled trials
similar to those starting to emerge for homeopathy I believe we should
remain cautious on the efficacy of traditional medicines, particularly if
viewed separately from the care process itself.
Douglas Ball
Drug & Toxicology Information Service
Dept of Pharmacy
University of Zimbabwe
PO Box A178 Avondale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 263-4-790233
Fax: 263-4-790233 or 795019
e-mail: dball@healthnet.zw
[Dr Samba and Dr Kasilo both stressed the need to ensure that such
medicines were validated for safety, efficacy, quality and
standardisation. These matters depend on investigation of the
content of the products. Many traditional medicines are similar to
the medicines from plants that were used in mainstream practice
before synthetic pharmaceuticals were widely developed. For example
plant products of cinchona species were (and are still) used for
malaria. They contain quinine. BS]
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