Chinese Medicine Adelaide
Government Policy
The South Australian government has not sought to regulate traditional Chinese medicine. However, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are advised to:
- Be honest in their conduct with patients and provide them with as much information as is required so that the patient is fully informed of the benefits and limitations of traditional Chinese medicine;
- Develop an understanding of the patient’s conventional and complementary therapies, and identifying appropriate traditional Chinese medicine techniques for supporting these therapies;
- Determine why the patient is using, or seeking to use, traditional Chinese medicine, as well as developing an understanding of the patient’s desired objectives or goals from the use of traditional Chinese medicine;
- Establish that the patient’s use of traditional Chinese medicine would be substantively beneficial to the patient and would not be detrimental to any pre-existing conditions or therapies;
- Be fully aware of the range of traditional Chinese medicines and techniques available and capable of applying the most appropriate technique for the individual patient;
- Be aware of the wider traditional Chinese medicine practitioner community and develop appropriate referral services; and
- Maintain professional relationships with patients so as to monitor the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on their treatment or recovery.
Government Bodies for Traditional Chinese Medicine
There are presently no government bodies for traditional Chinese medicine in South Australia or Adelaide.
National Coordination Body in Adelaide
There have been no recent initiatives from the National Institute of Complementary Medicine in regard to traditional Chinese medicine in Perth or Western Australia.
Advisory Committees
The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association has a branch in South Australia. The association represents over two thousand practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine and is responsible for:
- Defining and enforcing practitioner standards and accreditation;
- The development of industry ethical standards and codes of conduct;
- Representing the industry and members before government and to the wider community;
- Fostering international collaboration; and
- Promoting professional development programs.
The Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association can provide advice and information on traditional Chinese medicine in Adelaide and South Australia.
Regulation of Herbal Medicines
While traditional Chinese medicine is not regulated in Adelaide or South Australia, herbal medicines that may be used by traditional Chinese medicine are regulated by the Commonwealth Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Sydney
The Society of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture of South Australia provides a range of remedial therapies and training on traditional Chinese medicine.
Recent News
Recent news reports on traditional Chinese medicine in Adelaide have focused on the possible adverse effects of traditional Chinese medicine for older people who do not use qualified practitioners. A recent case of a sixty year old man who became ill after taking a number of herbs associated with traditional Chinese medicine. This prompted South Australia’s chief medical officer to note that while traditional Chinese medicine may be beneficial, it is important that community members ensure that they only attend qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
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