October 20, 1998 – Madame Claudine Larocque, president of the Federal Bureau of Alternative Medicines (FPPSCQ-CSN), yesterday strongly denounced the conclusions of a report produced by an interministerial working group on alternative therapies.
“The conclusions and recommendations of the Report of the interministerial working group on alternative therapies distress us and eloquently demonstrate the inability of this group to understand the reality of the sector of alternative and complementary health approaches. We understand that this report has not been made public. ”
This report recommends the creation of an independent register of the MSSS where therapists, all disciplines included:
1. register on a voluntary basis;
2. pay for their registration;
3. issue official receipts for insurance;
4. respect a common code of ethics.
The report contains no training standards, no disciplinary measures, no legal remedies for users and no legislative changes. It simply suggests that the references and information be accessible through a 1-800 line.
The president of the BFMA affirms that the members of the Interministerial Working Group were nevertheless well aware of the situation since they wrote, on page 55 of their Report:
“Government departments and agencies have not yet come together on alternative therapies. The responsibility for ensuring the protection of the public by supervising alternative practices does not formally belong to any ministry or agency and it is an obstacle to the coordination of government efforts in terms of protection. The multiplicity and nature of existing protection mechanisms make it difficult for consumers to exercise their rights. ”
In reaction to the working group’s proposals, the Federal Bureau of Alternative Medicine is proposing a genuine process of recognition of alternative and complementary health approaches. Here are the recommendations that conclude the document “Towards a true recognition of alternative medicines”:
Recommendation 1
That the MSSS, in collaboration with the field of alternative and complementary health approaches, determine an “official list of disciplines considered as alternative and complementary health approaches”, according to criteria and a frame of reference that they will have previously and jointly defined.
Recommendation 2
That adequate basic training (particularly in anatomy, physiology and pathology) be a prerequisite for any specialized training, for all members of the disciplines listed in the “official list of alternative and complementary health approaches”.
That all training programs be offered by the Quebec education system (secondary, college and university) in order to allow all students who wish to move towards the alternative sector to benefit from adequate training and the same advantages ( loans, bursaries, etc.) provided and granted to all other Quebec students.
That the Ministry of Education accredit an official program by discipline and that private educational institutions in alternative medicine be subject to the rules which currently prevail with regard to private post-secondary education institutions.
Recommendation 3
That professional orders for homeopaths, osteopaths and naturopaths be created as quickly as possible.
Recommendation 4
That an interdisciplinary harmonization committee be created in order to modify the laws and regulations with the following departments and bodies: Justice, Health and social services, Education, Office des professions, Interprofessional Council, Universities, Colleges, etc. account of the reality of alternative and complementary health approaches.
That representatives of the alternative and complementary health approaches sector be members of this committee and participate in the work.
Recommendation 5
That a pilot project be designed to integrate acupuncturists into the Quebec public health system.
Recommendation 6
That the population be gradually ensured better accessibility to professionals of the alternative and complementary health approaches covered by the official list, in the Quebec public health system.
Recommendation 7
That an annual research budget be allocated so that professionals in alternative and complementary health approaches can carry out research and development (R&D) in their respective discipline, as soon as they are officially recognized.
