WHO launches first global strategy on traditional medicines

Abstract

On May 16, WHO released its first global strategy on traditional medicines and announced that it will be greatly extending its activities in non-allopathic therapies. At the launch of the WHO Traditional Medicines Strategy 2002–2005, Yasuhiro Suzuki, executive director for health technology and pharmaceuticals, said: “Traditional or complementary medicine is victim of both uncritical enthusiasts and uninformed sceptics. This strategy is intended to tap into its real potential for people's health and wellbeing, while minimising the risks of unproven or misused remedies.”