There are countless websites and Facebook pages dedicated to them.
They can be bought on street corners and they promise cures for illnesses ranging from diabetes to cancer to HIV.
“Complementary medicines” seem to be everywhere these days and Dominicans are flocking in large numbers to buy them.
This has health officials alarmed and they are raising red flags.
“We are concerned because of the popularity, increased promotion, and availability of complimentary medicines,” Chief Pharmacist, Errol Thomas told Dominica News Online.
Complementary medicine, sometimes called alternative medicine, is the term for medical products and practices that are not part of standard or conventional medicine. An example of complementary medicine is the use of herbs for combating illnesses.
What Thomas is worried about is that many Dominicans have stopped using medications prescribed by a doctor and are opting for herbal and other forms of medicines.
“We have observed that a number of patients and other persons are stopping their prescribed conventional medicine and taking these herbal preparations,” he said.
As a result of this trend, Thomas said, a problem is being created for health care providers because patients return in worse conditions than they were before.
“It is creating a problem for us because these patients are coming back to us after having stopped their medicines and of course their conditions are getting worse and now we have to deal with it,” he stated.
The Chief Pharmacist added that in the “absence of proper legislation,” attempts are now on the way to educate the public on the “balanced” use of complimentary medicines.
He also pointed out that there is a “misconception” that is often shared by practitioners and the public, that complimentary medicines are completely safe.
“This is not the case,” he argued, “Adverse effects from a number of complementary therapies, including botanical medicine, have been noted.”
Below is a list of some of the dangers of “complimentary medicines” provided to DNO by the Chief Pharmacist:
-Sins of omission are those in which the patient deteriorates because the complementary practitioner does not recognize the seriousness of his/her condition and does not refer him/her for appropriate medical care.
-Intrinsic procedural risks are those arising as a direct result of the administration of the complimentary therapy. Examples of adverse reactions which result from the use of specific herbal product, including allergic responses, have been noted. Complications and ill effects have also been noted due to: misidentification of the herbal content, intentional/unintentional adulteration of the product with heavy metals or pharmaceuticals, and suspected interactions with conventional medication.
-Situational amplifications occur in cases where unconventional therapy aggravates an existing condition. The use of some herb s, especially as part of a ‘detoxifying’ protocol, may exacerbate the condition at the onset of treatment. Also, critical and objective evidence regarding the use of herbal medicines in certain scenarios such as pregnancy is lacking. Most information in this area comes from anecdotal and historical sources, the importance of which has yet to be investigated.
-There is the delivery of worthless procedures for financial or other gains on part of the practitioner. Unfortunately, as the popularity of ‘natural’ medicines increases, so does the opportunity for misconception of their use. This is especially concerning when effective treatment (either conventional or unconventional exists for the condition.
-Just because the label says ‘natural’ does not mean it’s safe
-Herbal remedies, herbal combinations, and dietary supplements aren’t subjected to the same approval process as medications and some can harm the liver.
Tips when using herbs as a complimentary medicine:
-Is the herbal product being used to treat a self-limiting condition?
-Is the herbal therapy appropriate?
-Is the patient currently taking any other medications (conventional or unconventional)?
-Do you know that the herbal products available to you are of good quality?
-Is the patient currently under the care of a complimentary health-care provider?
-Are there any other factors you must consider (eg. pregnancy, heart condition, diabetes etc.)
I am not disputing entirely what Mr. Thomas says but it is a simple case of artificial medicine vs. natural medicine.
”People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”
Alternative practitioners have made mistakes. But allopathic doctors have done as bad or worse.
Yes, there have been problems with the misuse of botanicals. More research is needed.
Some alternative practitioners are not properly trained due to sloppy laws and poor oversight. Their professional associations are trying to catch up. There was a time in the US when medical doctors (M.D.s) only required a six month course.
Errol Thomas must be aware of drugs being approved and marketed by big pharmacy in the States that caused babies to be born without fingers, hands, and arms, and have destroyed people’s livers and kidneys. Even now there are approved drugs being sold in pharmacies in Canada that are causing big problems. Efforts to have these drugs pulled have been ignored. Some think it is because of funding big pharmacy gives to medical schools.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
In Canada and the USA there are problems with “big pharmacy” that give the consumer incentive to explore the more natural options.
(a) When a drug is created that appears to have potential to help suffering (read dying) people the government keeps the public waiting too long to approve its use.
(b) The drugs that are the most effective are often offered for sale with such warnings about possible side effects it is a wonder anybody would dare to try them.
(c) Drugs have been approved and sold that later caused incredible damage and even killed people.
(d) The drug companies cannot make money from “natural” remedies and have an interest in keeping them off the market. For this reason many think their “studies” are not to be trusted.
However, the article by the Chief Pharmacist should create caution.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
CONTINUED … … …
Research needs to be done to show if various complimentary medicines can be safely taken with other complimentary medicines, or conventional medicines.
We also need studies to show if certain alternatives are safe for pregnant women, people with a heart
condition, and other serious diseases.
It is difficult to get funding for research in complimentary medicine. It will not come from the big pharmacy companies.
Another problem is in the packaging and sale of natural remedies. It has been found that the labels cannot always be trusted. Sometimes the label says something less than the true strength. There have also been cases where the said active ingredient has been missing! This has happened with both vitamins and herbals. If you are going to buy these materials we encourage you to buy from a reputable company,
or a practitioner you can trust who has a good name and some standing in the community.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…
His pills have to sell right?
drugs taken as prescribed is killing millions,’the leaf of the tree shall be for the healing of the nation’,you are threatened because people are getting wiser and turning away from your poisonous drugs given under hidden names.The drug industry is a multi billion industry .There are more side effects with the drugs than using natural remedies which God has recommended, so just behave.
I think the Chief has made some valid points- because we seldom know what dosage to take in those natural products and what combination to take them. But what is missing from the Chief article is the something that would encourage people to try to avoid them getting sick and to use the increase of medication whether conventional or non conventional whether chemically based or natural and that is to keep as much as possible your body in an alkaline state rather than an acidic state. to exercise and sexercize with your one mate wife or girlfriend. don’t be promiscuous; take less sugar and processed foods and fatty foods. high cholesterol foods; avoid alcohol and drugs ; avoid foods high in starch and importantly to drink lots of water; eat lots of fruits and vegetables preferably in there natural state; get adequate rest and sleep; maintain a health BMI. avoid getting obese. That my friend will reduce pumping our bodies with medication whether conventional or non-conventional
Physiologic state, there are anatomical areas which physiologically is functional in one Ph. If the alkaline state you meant is in blood, blood like every part of the body has its own particilar Ph at which it is functional and healthy to the individual ( Important players involved would be C02, [H]+ and [HC03]-.) There is an average range but an average value would be 7.4 in the vasculature. Lower than that set point is acidic higher is basic/ alkalemic, becauce we talking blood, acidemia or alkemia. Both conditions are bad. Otherwise i agree with you and the chief pharmacist .
Let’s not mince words here, it’s called Alternative Medicine – actually this is the first place where I’ve heard the term ‘complementary medicine’. The way I see it adults should be allowed to risk their health if they want to. The only place this should be treated legislatively is in the case of children who usually can’t make a choice but a force to abide by the choice their parents make.
And to people who think that this is some kind of shilling, Just think about for a second what this kind of thinking causes – people who refuse to vaccinate their kids because of some FUD against conventional medicine, people who refuse conventional medicine in favor of ‘natural’ methods that are placebos at best and detrimental at worst and even worse those who shun conventional medicine in favor of ‘faith healing’. The latter is by far the worst but you will find many of these existing side by side.
Let these idiots kill themselves.
Some people think once they hear the word NATURAL, it is always good for you. Well I have news for some of your folks. Nature is not always nice. Actually nature is often quite cruel.
So who wants to shun conventional medicine, let them. I will stick with medicine that has been peer reviewed and tested.
The brainwashing by the pharmaceutical companies continues to impress the ignorant.
Jamesd:
Thank you for your comment. I have no problem with anything you have said and I hope it causes people to use common sense.
You have mentioned faith healing. There are many types and forms of so-called faith healing. It all boils down to WHO or WHAT a person places their faith in. Much ”faith healing” is rubbish. I would be the first to tell people to keep away from it.
I am an evangelist who prays for the sick (with the laying on of hands and sometimes with the anointing with oil) in strict accordance with the Holy Scriptures. I am writing for the benefit of those who do not know the difference between various practices.
I am not a “faith healer”. Christ is the healer. We do not oppose the work of doctors. We would never tell anybody to discontinue their medication. I have seen many people miraculously healed through prayer in my ministry. Healings have been verified by medical tests including x-rays!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International…
PROPAGANDA!!! You all shouldn’t dictate what ppl can use when it comes to health. Many of us, prefer the herbal remedies. In Cuba there’s Blue Venom Oil, that kills cancer cells while leaving our good cells in tact. Why don’t we ask our good friends in Cuba about these?
I am yet to see anyone in Dominica using conventional medicine cured from cancer.
When traditional medicines were used and the cancer disappeared over a period of 18 months the health practitioner said that it must have been a misdiagnosis, yet those who done the diagnosis are still in a job after ‘misdiagnosing’ others?
Nobody is being cured in Dominica from ailments such as Cancer, AIDS, Diabetes…all they are doing is being treated and prolonging the inevitable… If herbs and a lifestyle change can CURE me, I see no problem with them because the DOMINICA HEALTH SYSTEM most definitely is not!
I started reading this article and a few lines after I stopped , I cant believe this article , I rather take a herb or bush medicine everyday than those synthetic chemical drug. Our forefathers survived with what was in their environment. Cultures all over the world has roots in traditional medicine, so what is this man saying?
Your fore-fathers were also dead by the time they were 30…
Stop talking silliness. Not everything from the ‘olden’ days were great.
Its a misunderstanding that natural things don’t consist various chemicals. Drugs are not made out of thin air. Even our body contains innumerous chemicals vastly important to our every day lives. One chemical could have several effects on didderent systems, different tissues, based on several factors like receptors, concentration, metabolism, absorbtion, rate of clearance, ect. Hence side effects. Its easy to downplay things we don’t quite understand, which is why educating each other is fundamental. Some drugs are chemicals extracted from plants for instance. People claim many things, like alternative medicine cures cancer for example, but cancer is by no means specific, the abundance of different types of cancers whicheach behaves specifically, do different things are also treated differently. So understanding how something works shoukd be ideal, question is does the people preparing alternative medicine understand these principles. Much less touching upon things like dosage.
Of cource plant should not just be downplayed themselves, i believe we should have some o e study these plants and theri different applications qnd perhaps based on results think of, making our own medicine. Dominica’s pharmaceuticals. Of cource this won’t be cheap with the testing and trials. Does it work. Imagine this: you get relief from a nasty diarrhea after drinking water, hypothetically, but was water the only thing you took? Was it the sole reason if a reason at all, some illnesses go away all on their own. Thats why groups is used. If it does work, you have to find out how well it works, side effects and all those different phases. Guess what, drugs prescribed are often almost always baptized via this very elaborate chain of trials.
They survived very painfully, dying very horrible deaths.
REALLY MR. CHIEF PHARMACIST????
I don’t believe that people should go about buying everything that other person are selling. However, I would want to believe that the Mr. Chief pharmacist who represents the big drug companies has all the to defend their interest. I wonder what is the real motive of the Chief?
Chief most individuals have lost confidence in the system and the way you go about promoting health and wellness. I am happy that you were able muster the courage to address a practice that is becoming common in the society. The individual’s health is of paramount importance and not something to be played with. But on the hand their are many in the health profession who are welling to put the clients well being at risk knowing very well that the so called legal drug or medication they are prescribing is no good. As a few sincere persons in the profession well tell you there is not one medication produced buy the chemical companies that pretend to cure a certain illness but at the same time producing others.
The real motive of the chief is to sell his medicine..,
Behave you all selves. In times of before when people used to live to 100 years plus..there were no ‘conventional medicine’…..and i much rather take natural herbs to combat a cold and some illnesses…what God have given us naturally work on earth for YEARS before and will for years to come….it is our CHOICE if we choose to go naturally…rather than take drugs from the pharmacy that harbors more ill for my body than good. a pill helps to ease pain but also can have side effects like..nausia, heart attack, stroke, blindness and loss of organs….give me a effing break please!!
uhuh except in the tmes of the black plague when millions died. Or the several other epidemics that wreaked havoc across several populations. Not to mention the number of people who died from various diseases before we started diagnosing them and finding their causes.
I know exactly what Mr. Thomas is talking about. I have a friend who takes all kinds of stuff because “someone” told her it is good for this, that and the other.
Some studies have shown that even supplemental vitamins are of questionable value. All you do is produce expensive urine.
I have great concerns about this. When I hear popular radio hosts for instance, interacting with self-styled priests and “naturopaths”, promoting alternative medicine, practically denouncing science based health care I do wonder:
– Is it legal for non qualified physicians & pharmacists to prescribe and distribute these alternative medications?
– Do our authorities (Bureau of standards for instance) check the preparations & potions these people bring in .
– do the vendors of such merchandise (because that is what it is) pay tax on their sales, like VAT?
– are these promoters/distributors of alternative medicines & treatments accountable in law, in the same way as regular physicians & pharmacists?
I realize that people have a free choice but I do have objections that as a consequence of using these alternatives the public health system gets overburdened when things go wrong.
In some cases alternative medicines and treatments are not regulated and therefore do not fall under any law. Often they are botanicals from the field or forest. Some modalities used by a naturopath are regulated others are not. It depends on the locality.
Whether the practitioners pay taxes for the sale of their products would depend on the laws of where they lived and how honest they are. The same can be said of any other profession or trade.
Many Provinces and States in Canada and the USA license naturopaths after they have graduated from an accredited Naturopathic College with their Doctor of Naturopathy, N.D. degree. They are primary care physicians. Naturopathy is recognized by some health insurance companies.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.
Prescription drugs and regular over the counter remedies are advertised big everywhere on radio and television.
In Canada and the USA conventional cancer clinics and treatment centers are advertising on television.
A licensed complimentary practitioner should be able advertise his (her) services or use public media to make known the availability of a particular treatment as long as no false or fraudulent claims are made.
In a world with so much suffering and with so many people battling the ”big C” often with little or no hope it seems senseless and cruel not to make every possible chance of recovery available to them.
Be aware of any alternative practitioner who implies that he (she) is the only one who has the medicinal formula or treatment technique and refused to share it even though it might save lives. Avoid any practitioner who charges an unrealistic fee for medicine or treatments.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist.