PHA-Exchange> Rethinking the terms of debates on Traditional MedicineSystems

[Mathura P Shrestha]

Dear Madhulika

Thank you for your e-mail and for your interest in the research in
traditional and medicine.

However, the problem you mentioned lies not in concept, research or process
of traditional medicine. The key problem is the imitation complexes. Some
marketing practices used by the producers of so called traditional medicine
have adopted or copied those from the MNCs of so called liberal market
economy pushed by forces of globalization. In other words, they themselves
are converts of MNC. They thus practice aggressive marketing  and
promotions. They promote consumerism and are equally profit oriented. Like
any company these tend to glorify their products and put a lot of haloes
around their products. In addition, they mystify their products and reap
enormous profit out of ignorant consumers. Due to inherent weakness in
western medicine and failure to embrace holistic aspects, some companies
take Ayurveda and other formal or non-formal traditional systems as
alternative gold mines for their hunt for profit.

The questions of research in traditional systems is to be seen from a
paradigm different than that of western pharmacopeia. Traditional system is
to empower the people in all matters of health - from knowledge/information
to care. It is also to make them self reliant. Traditional health systems
try to cut barriers between the providers and users of health services.
Expertise and technological interphases too are to be as easily accessible
as their neighbors or counselors. Unfortunately this has not been so with
western medicine.

Similarly, the question of integration although looks nice on the surface
will not solve the problem because of inherent biases, political and
socioeconomic practices.

I think we need to open this important question for a greater debate. We
need to involve all especially the consumers and people in the debate. This
way we can hope to get nearer to both the truth and solution.

We have to bring information, sciences, technology closest to people's homes
for the greater benefit as well to prevent misuse or harms out of these. We
have to work for the rights of the people and to protect the people from the
disinformation associated with advertisements, mystified glorification of
the products and processes.

With regards,

Mathura P. Shrestha.