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

[norman nyazema]

I could not agree with you more. Unfortunately you seem to have concentrated 
mainly on herbalism, which is only but a part of traditional medicinal 
practice. A system is also something very different. This may sound 
semantic, but think about it deply when debating about research.

Cheers

Norman


>From: "Mathura P Shrestha" <enhrn at mos.com.np>
>To: "Ted Greiner" <ted_greiner at hotmail.com>, <kireenmm at tm.net.my>,   
><pha-exchange at kabissa.org>, "Madhulika Banerjee" <madhulikab at vsnl.net>
>Subject: Re: PHA-Exchange> Rethinking the terms of debates on Traditional 
>MedicineSystems
>Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001 08:06:06 +0530
>
>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.
>
>
>
>---
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