IRH member Vilma Matuleviciute was asked to participate in the Lithuanian TV program on current affairs, where the Lithuanian Minister of Health, V.P. Andriukaitis, was answering journalist’s questions regarding regulation of CAM sector.
Vilma was asked questions on what’s happening in Ireland at the moment regarding Herbal medicine regulation. And she also spoke about herbal medicine practice in Ireland – what type of patients herbalists may see in their clinics, what type of health problems herbalists deal with, etc.
Here is the link to this program:
(At 19.08min the interview with the Minister for Health V.P.Andriukaitis starts, at 21.50min Vilma’s interview starts (the interview is in Lithuanian of course)
The process of regulation of CAM sector is in a full swing at the moment in Lithuania.
The association of “Healthy lifestyle and natural medicine” (LSNR) was created in 2011. It is like a federation or an umbrella body, which includes several therapy specific committees and encompasses every area related to the CAM sector.  The LSNR is actively collaborating with the Lithuanian Department of Health (DoH) to introduce some new health policies regarding the CAM status and its regulation in the state.
 There are a couple of important aspects of that’s happening in this sector in Lithuania.
Firstly, the DoH approves and acknowledges the LSNR as the sole licensing body for CAM therapists in Lithuania. The LSNR will also deal with accrediting the CAM courses and training colleges.  So it will be essential to belong to this association, if one wants to get license to practice any CAM therapy in Lithuania.
Secondly, CAM is getting state recognition without the statutory regulation, as CAM therapists will be self-regulating via the LSNR. The legal capacity of the LSNR is approved by the DoH.
Thirdly, this regulation will give a place for non-doctors CAM practitioners to be recognized and get the license to practice, as CAM is practiced only by doctors or pharmacists in Lithuania.  The license to practice covers the insurance for practitioners.
Also, the first University MSc course for doctors specializing in rehabilitation specifically within CAM sector is also being set up at the moment.
These are positive moves towards acknowledging the importance, efficacy and popularity of CAM therapies and  establishing its place beside the conventional medicine.  And it is one step closer towards the integrative medicine model.