WRITTEN QUESTION No. 566/99 by Roberta ANGELILLI Recognition of alternative medicine
Date: 1999-03-12
Institutions: ANGELILLI, European Parliament
Subjects: Italy, alternative medicine, application of EU law, free movement of goods, health control, medicinal product, recognition of diplomas

3.12.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 348/101

(1999/C 348/126)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0566/99

by Roberta Angelilli (NI) to the Commission

(12 March 1999)

Subject: Recognition of alternative medicine

There are various organizations in Italy, such as the Accademia ‘Homo Sapiens’, the MC4 Association, etc.,
which carry out research into and promote ‘alternative’ medical and scientific disciplines such as phytotherapy,
homeopathy, yoga, acupuncture, naturopathy, kinesiology and bioenergetics.

Although they are frequently viewed as a valid alternative to ‘official’ medicine, these disciplines do not appear
to be recognized and/or regulated in any way.

Can the Commission state:

1. whether there are any studies and documentation on this subject at EU level;

2. whether there are any laws or regulations governing this sector in the other Member States;

3. how it views this matter overall?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(4 May 1999)

1.
The Commission is not aware of Community-wide studies on the subject of ‘complementary’ or
‘alternative’ or ‘parallel’ ‘medicines’, whether by such terms products or services are implied. Several national
studies on these matters do, however, exist, which contain information on the situation concerning selected
practices and products in a number of Member States, such as the King fund report and the University of Exeter
report to the Department of health presented in 1997 and the report in 1998 by the Académie nationale de
médecine on behalf of the Federation of the academies of medicine of the European Union.

All Member States have provisions covering aspects of these practices and products whether in the

2.
context of medical education, training and profession, or in the context of products or services.

Community legislation (1) provides for a general system of recognition of diplomas which also applies to these
practices (see answer to written question no 1743/98 by Mrs Kestelijn-Sierens (2)). In the area of medicinal
the Treaty
products, Community provisions exist
provisions on the free circulation of products and services also apply to these products and services.

for homeopathic medicinal products (3). Moreover,

3.
The practices and products covered under these terms are counted in thousands and have different
meanings in the Member States. They are also the object of rapid change both in terms of understanding of
underlying processes and in terms of regulatory development covering educational, training, and professional
aspects. The Commission is following this evolution with a view to action, if necessary, at Community level. It
has also requested the relevant scientific committee to review the situation and provide advice as to risks and
health protection measures that might be deemed necessary at Community level.

(1) Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC .
(2) OJ C 386, 17.12.1998.
(3) Directives 92/73/EEC and 92/74/EEC.