1. COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE INDUSTRY AND THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE
AN OVERVIEW OF THE
COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE INDUSTRY
AND THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE
HEALTH PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

2. INTRODUCTION What is Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Professionals associated with CAM are controlled by Allied Health Professions Council of SA (AHPCSA)
Professionals associated with conventional medicine controlled by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA)

3. COMPLEMENTARY VS. ALTERNATIVE
Important distinctions between complementary and alternative medicine
Some health care providers practice what is known as "integrative medicine,"
There is an invalid perception in some areas, that complementary medicines are based on hearsay or anecdotal evidence and that they are not scientific

4. CAM CATEGORIES 1. Aromatherapeutic Essential Oils
2. Homoeopathic Medicine
3. Biochemical Medicines & Salts.
4. Anthroposophical Medicines
5. Nutritional Food Substances (including vitamins
and minerals)
6.Herbal Medicine
7. Sowa Rigpa Medicine
8. Chinese Medicine
9. Ayurvedic Medicine
10. Uani-Tibb Medicine
11. Energy Substances

5. ROLE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINES IN SA
Historically many diverse cultures somehow possess a wide traditional wisdom that relates to the well-being of their communities and the individual
In modern Western society, emphasis has shifted to immediate solutions and ‘fixes’. Conventional Medicine a recent development
All Complementary Medicines have in common the “philosophy” or body of knowledge that has become
known as “wellness”

6. ROLE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINES IN SA
WELLNESS
Increased Westernized lifestyle - suffer from “side-effects”
Complementary and Traditional Medicines - redress imbalance of body system
Challenge for the future - to cross pollinate wide communities with benefits obtained from all
medicines, practices and approaches

7. MARKET SIZE
World market for herbals and vitamins - approx US$50 Billion
SA Market size approx 2 Billion Rand - representing approx 0.7% of world market (HPA Survey 2003)
South African market exceptionally buoyant over last few years
Exports from SA are growing

8. SOUTH AFRICA MARKET SHARE BREAK DOWN
Vitamins 36%
Herbs 14%
Food supplements 16%
Health drinks 7%
Natural cosmetics 7%
Homoeopathy 5%
Sport nutrition 4%
Other 11%

9. COMPLEMENTARY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINES IN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
More than African Traditional Healers
About active members in Direct Selling
“Therapeutic Foods” market size between 1-10% of the total food industry. (i.e. R2 - R20 billion)
The HPA has 108 member companies, indirectly employs approx 30,000
Estimated employment by supply chain - in excess of 50,000 people
5,573 registered practitioners with Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA).
Approximately 350 health shops in SA, each employing
2 – 7 persons

10. THE HISTORY AND ROLE OF THE HPA
Established in 1978 to PROTECT and PROMOTE the health products INDUSTRY
Established a full-time HPA office in 1988
Members include homoeopaths, naturopaths, chiropractors and complementary medicine practitioners
Members are experts in their fields with a unique understanding of complementary and alternative medicine
The HPA represents the majority of manufacturers and distributors in Southern Africa
Through HPA efforts - an industry that continuously
strives for a credible, organized and scientific
environment
Good manufacturing procedures (GMP)

11. HPA OBJECTIVES
To ensure high profile visibility of the health products industry as a dynamic, organized and responsible force.
To protect the industry and ensure long-term validity.
To create a unified industry voice when dealing with external entities such as government bodies and the media.
To maintain high ethical standards of production, quality control, marketing and advertising within the industry.
To act as a body that protects the consumer against exploitation from unethical practices. .

12. HPA OBJECTIVES
To act as a central information point to promote and co-operate with the government, media and other related stakeholders in representing the interests of the industry
To provide a forum for education for both the consumer, industry and professional through seminars, conventions and exhibitions
To promote co-operation between other international and local associations, medical bodies and fraternities to encourage mutual understanding
To promote and develop opportunities for export and import for its members

13. HPA INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Linked to leading international organisations
EHPM (European Health Product Manufacturers)
IADSA (International Alliance of Dietary Food Supplements Associations)
Objectives to establish, maintain, protect and promote
international standards
IADSA : founded in 1998 – represents 40 dietary supplement associations worldwide
EHPM was created in membership includes approx 1800 health-product manufacturers in 20 European countries

14. THE CAM SELF MONITORING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (SMTC)
HISTORY
In 1996 BBRG (Broad Based Reference Group) committees were established to “list safe medicines (substances and indications)
In 1998 the lists of substances and indications were approved by the MCC
In 2002 call up for audit of complementary medicine
well over applications received by MRA

15. THE CAM SELF MONITORING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (SMTC)
HISTORY CONT
In response to inappropriate CAM draft regulations in July 2004, HPA spearheaded formation of Complementary Medicines Stakeholder Committee (CMSC)
CMSC included industry, practitioners, wholesalers, retailers and academia
CMSC produced and submitted to the DOH a 600 page document critically commenting on the Draft giving appropriate alternatives

16. THE CAM SELF MONITORING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (SMTC) cont
RECOMMENDATIONS
Separate and appropriate regulations and guidelines for complementary and traditional medicines
A separate marketing code
A separate directorate with CAM qualified key personnel and structure – MCC, DOH & MRA
And in the interim –
appropriate representation within the MCC
appropriate representation within the MCC committees
mandate & appropriate representation within the Complementary Medicines Committee (CMC) –
a statutory body of the MCC
CAM task team

17. CURRENT STATUS ON REGULATION
No CAM regulations
HPA in continuous interaction with DOH
HPA requires APPROPRIATE REGULATION
HPA will only support appropriate legislation for CAM
“One size-fits-all” regulation and legislation totally unacceptable

18. HPA REACTION: SELF MONITORING TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (SMTC)
SMTC established September 2007
To support the DOH
To establish level playing fields
To reduce unethical behaviour
To retain credibility with the public regarding CAM

19. FEATURES OF THE SMTC SURVEILLANCE
Surveillance of defaulters in the marketplace
Close co-operation with the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority)
Close co-operation with Law
enforcement unit of the DOH on
advertising claims and indications

20. FEATURES OF THE SMTC B. CO-OPERATION Continued dialogue with DOH
Co-operation with CMC
Interaction on BBRG APPROVED LISTS OF SUBSTANCES

21. FEATURES OF THE SMTC C. ASSISTANCE
Assistance to members with regard to advertising claims & indications
The provision of technical expertise for both surveillance and assistance

22. CONCLUSION SA progressive - freedom of speech, regulations and rights
Remains role of HPA to acknowledge, protect and promote traditions and practices of CAM as well as its right to exist within all medical paradigms
HPA will continue to work towards availability, accessibility, safety and efficacy of essential CAM to all
HPA supports concept of individual responsibility for health, preventative health care and informed decision making
HPA will continue to work towards establishment of complementary partnership between Government bodies and private providers

23. ON BEHALF OF THE HPA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION
MATHABO KONA
Executive Director : Health Products Association of Southern Africa