Μake us preferred on Google Billions of people worldwide rely on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) as part of their health care, yet scientific evidence on many of these approaches remains severely limited, according to a senior World Health Organization (WHO) expert.
Speaking to To Vima, Dr Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, head of the Research and Evidence Unit at the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Center, said research into non-conventional treatments remains “minimal to nonexistent,” creating a major gap in evidence on their safety and effectiveness.
The issue has gained renewed attention following recent revelations surrounding the death of Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis. The case has highlighted concerns about self-proclaimed experts, medical practices operating beyond the scope of their licenses and treatments marketed under impressive-sounding names despite, in many cases, lacking rigorous scientific evaluation.
But Pillai stressed that the problem extends far beyond Greece.
Billions use traditional and complementary medicine
The WHO says billions of people around the world use traditional, complementary or integrative approaches as part of their health care.
Of the WHO’s 194 member states, 170 report using traditional medicine within their health systems. A recent WHO survey also found that in two-thirds of 106 countries surveyed, between 40% and 90% of the population reported using at least one treatment falling under the TCIM umbrella.
The three terms refer to different approaches.
Traditional medicine encompasses practices and systems of care developed within different cultures and used over generations. Examples include traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and herbal medicines. In some cases, such treatments are used instead of conventional medicine.
Complementary medicine refers to therapeutic systems and approaches used alongside conventional medicine. One example is acupuncture used by a patient who is also undergoing cancer treatment.
Integrative medicine goes a step further by combining different therapeutic practices within a coordinated overall care plan. This could include conventional medication alongside nutritional support, exercise, psychological support and potentially a non-conventional treatment.
Less than 1% of research funding
Despite the widespread use of these approaches, less than 1% of global research funding is devoted to determining whether popular TCIM approaches are safe and effective, Pillai said.
He described this as one of the largest gaps in evidence concerning the safety and effectiveness of treatments used by the world’s population.
Researchers studying these types of therapies account for just 0.43% of the global research community, he added.
“People around the world follow these approaches every day, while governments do not have the evidence necessary to regulate them and protect patients,” Pillai said.
The result, he argued, is not simply an evidence gap but a substantial divide between widespread use and the amount of scientific research available to assess those treatments.
WHO creates a research “road map”
To help close that gap and establish what value non-conventional treatments may or may not have, the WHO has developed a new global research “road map.”
The WHO Global Research Priorities and Agenda for Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine 2025-2034 was officially announced on September 16 and sets an agenda extending through 2034.
Pillai described the initiative as a “compass” for directing research into non-conventional treatments.
He said research could begin with well-designed real-world data studies, since many non-conventional approaches are already being used by large numbers of people.
However, such studies should complement rather than replace clinical trials.
“Clinical trials are the gold standard for evaluating all medical approaches,” Pillai said.
WHO expert warns of treatment risks
Until more evidence becomes available, Pillai urged people to exercise caution.
It is common for people to use non-conventional medicines or undergo non-conventional treatments while also receiving conventional medical treatment, he said. That combination can carry risks that should be taken seriously.
Many such treatments are marketed as “natural,” which can lead people to assume they are safer than pharmaceutical products. But TCIM products are not always safe and can interact with conventional medicines, sometimes dangerously, Pillai said.
Their quality may also be inconsistent, while some natural products have been found to be contaminated or adulterated.
The use of non-conventional approaches that have not been thoroughly evaluated can therefore put people at risk, particularly if they develop a false sense of security, he said.
Patients may delay or even abandon effective conventional treatments as a result, potentially with serious consequences in conditions such as cancer.
The WHO’s warning comes as the organization seeks to address the gap between the widespread use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine and the limited scientific evidence available to assess its safety and effectiveness.
