Complementary Medicines Can Save Youdanny Rose, Medical Writer, Aap

[brick]

September 13, 2010, 1:26 pm

 

 

 

Complementary medicines offer the potential to shave millions of dollars from the nation's burgeoning health costs, an economic analysis shows.

 

A study by Access Economics has compared the costs and health benefits of complementary as well as conventional treatments for a range of common ailments, from depression to heart disease and back pain.

 

It found cases where a complementary medicine carried a significant health benefit for a fraction of the cost of conventional treatments, or it could pose a cost effective and beneficial add-on.

 

"The clinical evidence showing some complementary medicine can play a vital role in improving an individual's health has been clear for some time," said Professor Alan Bensoussan who is executive director of the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) at the University of Western Sydney.

 

"Now this report shows complementary medicine could also improve the health of the healthcare system."

 

The research found the herb St John's Wort - which studies have identified as effective for treating mild to moderate depression - could offer significant savings based on its lower cost per unit when compared to standard anti-depressants.

 

Given the difference in price and the large number of Australians seeking treatment for depression "a saving of nearly $50 million per annum would be possible", the report says.

 

The research also highlighted cost savings to the health system from a broader use of Omega 3 fish oils as a preventative for heart disease, and that acupuncture could play a role in improving outcomes when used alongside conventional treatment.

 

The research also highlighted studies which show the herbal medication Phytodolor was an effective treatment, for some, to manage osteoarthritis pain.

 

Broader use of this medication could allow older Australians to reduce their reliance on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) with a best-case scenario saving of "$178 million each year".

 

Professor Bensoussan said Australia's health care costs exceed $100 billion every year, and this figure has been rising year-on-year for decades.

 

"Complementary medicines could defray the high costs of modern health care by offering better disease prevention and more effective management of chronic conditions," he said.

 

"The current focus on restructuring the Australian health system to save money would benefit from broadening the review to include better integration of cost effective complementary medicine into daily medical practice."

 

The study, commissioned by NICM, did not take in all complementary medicines just those "where a reasonable body of evidence for safety and efficacy was available".

 

It also carried a warning that complementary medicines can have problematic, and not yet fully understood, interactions with other drugs and any decision to take them should be discussed with a doctor.

 

St John's Wort, for example, was known to impact on the effectiveness of warfarin and other drugs used to treat heart disease, along with the contraceptive pill and migraine treatments.

 

Hope this guy has Cannabis on his list to investigate.

Edited September 13, 2010 by brick50

[cybergenesis]

I doubt he has cannabis on his list, he would see it as a HIGHLY ILLEGAL DEADLY ADDICTIVE NARCOTIC KILLER DRUG, AKA DEATH SKUNK Edited September 15, 2010 by cybergenesis

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I doubt he has cannabis on his list, he would see it as a HIGHLY ILLEGAL DEADLY ADDICTIVE NARCOTIC KILLER DRUG, AKA DEATH SKUNK

 

mmmmmmmmmmm....Death Skunk!!! sounds tasty!