Adequacy of regulation and CAM safety

Many of the claims regarding the safety and efficacy of alternative medicine are controversial. Some alternative treatments have been associated with unexpected side effects, which can be fatal.

One of the commonly voiced concerns about complementary alternative medicine CAM is the manner in which is regulated. There have been significant developments in how CAMs should be assessed prior to re-sale in the United Kingdom and the European Union EU in the last 2 years. Despite this, it has been suggested that current regulatory bodies have been ineffective in preventing deception of patients as many companies have re-labelled their drugs to avoid the new laws.^[192] There is no general consensus about how to balance consumer protection from false claims, toxicity, and advertising with freedom to choose remedies.

Advocates of CAM suggest that regulation of the industry will adversely affect patients looking for alternative ways to manage their symptoms, even if many of the benefits may represent the placebo affect.^[193] Some contend that alternative medicines should not require any more regulation than over-the-counter medicines that can also be toxic in overdose such as paracetamol.^[194]

See also: List of herbs with known adverse effects