A resounding ‘yes’ from the Irish on 2 October in favour of the Lisbon Treaty brings momentum and support to the European Union. This issue of ECHAMP News looks at the next steps towards the ratification of the Treaty. Christine Marking also gives an update on the new Parliament and on the new Commission that will be in place in November.

It is a good to see complementary medicine (CAM) starting to take its place on the political agenda. This is a logical outcome in a democratic system, given that there are more than 100 million users of complementary medicine in the EU. Recent figures from Germany and France clearly demonstrate that there are also a growing number of new users, people looking for other solutions to their health care.

The positive evolution of CAM in the EU will also be on the programme of the ECHAMP tenth anniversary symposium on 18 November, together with the question on the efficacy of the European legislation for the assessment of homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products.

In this issue, Dr Ton Nicolai writes about the cost effectiveness of homeopathy, and the potential savings available to public health bodies and the wider economy. The organisation and delivery of health services are a responsibility of the Member States. However, as the borders increasingly disappear in the EU, and persons and goods can circulate freely, solutions must be found for all cross border activities, including CAM services and CAM medicinal products. Lawyer Johan Hulsof completes this issue with a look at the relationship between complementary medicine and social security in the EU.

Nand De Herdt
President

Homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine – Is EU legislation fit for purpose?
On 18 November, ECHAMP celebrates its tenth anniversary with a high-level pharmapolitical symposium followed by an evening reception. Keynote speakers include Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Vice President of the European Parliament, Irene Sacristan Sanchez, Deputy Head of the Pharmaceuticals Unit from DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission, Emiel van Galen, Chair of the Homeopathic Medicinal Products Working Group (HMPWG) and Paul Lannoye, rapporteur for the European Parliament Resolution on the status of non-conventional medicine In May 1997. The symposium will take a look at the progress made towards an appropriate EU legal and regulatory framework for homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products over the past ten years. It will be followed by an evening reception, opened by Laurette Onkelinx, Belgian Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health.
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Hope for a new initiative on homeopathic medicines?
A briefing for the new members of the European Parliament Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee points towards the need to extend the EU framework on medicinal products to include products associated with alternative therapies such as homeopathy and acupuncture. It also suggests a role for EU bodies to promote research into alternative therapies, and the funding of studies to assess the benefits of alternative therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture and others.
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Homeopathy and cost-effectiveness
Research shows that patients who seek homeopathic treatment have better outcomes for similar cost. Dr Ton Nicolai takes a look at several studies in this field and argues that in the long run homeopathy may offer significant cost savings to public health bodies, and to the wider economy.
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Complementary medicine and social security in the EU
To what extent do European rules influence the reimbursement of therapeutic interventions under the complementary medicine umbrella? Lawyer Johan Hulshof reviews the relationship between complementary medicine and social security in the EU, and concludes that social security matters in relation to CAM therapies largely remain within the national boundaries of the Member States. Read more…

Editor: Karen Chapman, ECHAMP PR and Communications Consultant