THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WOULD like to use this medium to ask this important question with a genuine need to generate an answer: which body regulates alternative medicine in Jamaica?

There is no doubt that if one embraces modern/Western medicine, it will soon become obvious that there might be some diseases for which there is no cure, and questions about grave pathologies that have no answers. This adds much frustration to the suffering patient.

In an effort to fill this deficit and sometimes as a primary choice, one will embrace the need to utilise alternative medicinal products. In addition, with regard to conventional pharmacotherapy, much of these is harnessed from similar chemical or biological compounds which are touted as 'alternative' forms of medicine, therefore complicating the matter.

However, while some types of alternative medicinal products have randomised controlled trials to recommend its use for specific conditions, whether preventative or curative, much of it in my opinion remains largely unregulated.

Is it that in Jamaica anyone can claim to be an alternative practitioner and set up shop, or worse use the airwaves to advertise the placebo effect of their treatment without scrutiny? Where is the regulated body to protect the public from being scammed and suffering adverse effects? While I am aware of the democratic right of each individual, are there no minimum standards?

I am hoping the Health Ministry at the very least has an answer to this query?

I am, etc.,

Dr ROMAYNE EDWARDS

glamarous00@yahoo.com

Barbican

Kingston 6

Via Go-Jamaica