The ECHAMP symposium and contact programme were timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the founding of ECHAMP. In recognition of its first ten years of activity, ECHAMP was pleased to host a reception and dinner for its members, seminar participants, and past and present supporters of the association. Held at the spacious accommodation of the Stanhope Hotel in Brussels, guests appreciated the chance to catch up with old friends, to reminisce about the past, and to strengthen bonds for future working relationships.

The dinner was also the occasion to look back over the past ten years of the association. Past ECHAMP Presidents, Lucas Von Hebel (1999–2005) and Max Daege (2005-2009), both entertained guests with a look back over the progress of the past ten years.

ECHAMP was founded as a European Economic Interest Group (EEIG) on 25 October 1999 in Brussels. There were 25 member companies present at that founding assembly, representing 10 of the then 15 EU Member States. Today there are over 50  full members, from 17 Member States plus Norway, plus 13 corresponding members (practitioners’ and patients’ organisations) and 10 associated members (national manufacturers’ associations). In that time, ECHAMP has become the first interlocutor on homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products at EU level.

Lucas Von Hebel spoke of his experience during the early years of ECHAMP. “The first years were on the one hand tough (this is to be expected, since we were in a pioneering phase), but on the other hand they were utmostly pleasant. This was certainly due to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere which was the basis for our internal cooperation and therefore characterised all our meetings.” His closing wish was that in the same way as ECHAMP has grown to maturity, the European Union should also “grow to maturity, so that governors and decision makers will at last acknowledge the real value of non-conventional medicine.”

Max Daege added his experience as most recent past-President of four years, and chair of the next membership assembly. He celebrated the work that has been achieved so far and thanked all those who had helped the association in its achievements to date. He nevertheless reminded the guests that the current situation for homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products remains unsatisfactory. “We need solutions very urgently. These solutions can best be found if and when experts from the industry are involved in the process of drafting law and regulations. ECHAMP is ready to help with expertise and pertinent information. Please take us at our word and let us improve the situation together.”

The closing words of the reception were from Nand De Herdt, founding member and current President. He spoke about ECHAMP's first goal of supporting its members, and of the benefit that ECHAMP's work also brings to a further target group – the patients, doctors and practitioners of complementary medicine. And finally, by improving the integration of complementary medicine into EU health policy, the work can also help the health of the population as a whole. He said, “I very much hope that we succeed in safeguarding the whole range homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products for the benefit of the patients and users of these therapeutic approaches.” Nand De Herdt finished by thanking individually all those who had helped ECHAMP along its path over the last ten years, including allies and supporters, reminding guests that the path ahead held many challenges. A strong and active membership and a strong team in Brussels were essential to the future success.

The evening finished with a surprise, and very large birthday cake!

Karen Chapman
ECHAMP PR and Communications Consultant