Dear Kizito,
The topic of the Informal Health Sector is ignored probably because of the
lack of financial incentives for the pharmaceutical companies. Academics
also don't find the IHS particularly conducive to futhering their research
in, again probably mainly due to lack of funding for these kind of studies.
Drug policies do not generally deal with this issue satisfactorily. The new
South African drug policy for example, does mention "traditional medicines"
on p.24. The policy aims to investigate traditional medicines for safety and
efficacy, etc. No definition of "traditional" medicine is however supplied.
In developing countries many customs influence health and perhaps one
good example would be the use of cannabis. Some substances have in effect
become, in some communities, a kind of informal "essential drug".
I agree that this matter needs further research. Rational use of drugs
cannot be achieved if the IHS is not taken into consideration. Even in some
developed countries this sector has an effect on health that should be
investigated. Funding should come from amongst others, governments, PBM's
and other managed care organisations, which should have information
available to enable researchers to monitor therapeutic outcomes in patients
that also make use of the IHS.
Sam Wagner
Research fellow
PRIME Institute
University of Minnesota
USA
email: wagne051@gold.tc.umn.edu
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