KUHeS Engages Ministry of Health in Review of The National Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Policy

Recently Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) commenced a consultative process with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders to revisit, implement, and establish regulatory frameworks for the National Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Policy of 2020.

During a stakeholder meeting convened at MoH offices in Lilongwe on November 29, 2024 Associate Professor Arox Kamng’ona, Executive Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions at KUHeS, underscored the widespread reliance on TCM among Malawians.

He revealed that more than 80% of individuals living with HIV and other diseases depend on TCM practices and products, despite the sector remaining largely unregulated.

“The lack of regulatory mechanisms has fostered an environment where unverified therapeutic claims, unsafe practices, and unauthorized marketing of products proliferate, thereby posing significant risks to public health,” he stated. Professor Kamng’ona also expressed grave concerns regarding the practice of self-medication and the unsupervised integration of herbal and conventional medical treatments.

“Many Malawians engage in self-medication or combine herbal remedies with conventional pharmaceuticals without professional oversight, increasing the likelihood of adverse drug-herbal interactions. Additionally, reports of unethical practices, including ritualistic use of human tissues among traditional medicine practitioners, raise critical concerns surrounding human rights and public safety,” he noted.

Academic Initiatives to Enhance TCM Regulation

To address these pressing issues, KUHeS intends to establish a Bachelor of Science degree program in Herbal and Traditional Medicine within its Department of Pharmacy. The program aims to contribute to the human capital development towards supporting the regulatory framework and its implementation for practioners, practices and the safe use of TCM products.

“Through the combined expertise of our School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Family Medicine andn other departments, KUHeS is uniquely equipped to support the regulation of TCM products and practitioners in Malawi. Our initiatives encompass curriculum development, short-term capacity-building training for TCM practitioners, research focused on herbal medicine safety and manufacturing, public outreach programs, and the establishment of a Drug, Poisons, and Herbal Medicine Information Centre,” Professor Kamng’ona elaborated.

Strategic Priorities for Regulation

Dr. Stanley Mwalwanda and Dr. John Mponda presented detailed arguments in favor of strengthening the regulatory framework for TCM during the discussions. They emphasized that the overarching objective of such measures is to ensure the provision of safe, equitable, and high-quality TCM services while formally integrating these practices into the national healthcare system.

Dr. Mwalwanda highlighted key priority areas for the regulatory framework, as outlined in the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) Policy. These include governance, research and development, capacity building, and public awareness campaigns. He also underscored the importance of each stakeholder’s role in implementing the TCM policy.

Dr. Mponda emphasized the absence of safety monitoring mechanisms for herbal products, the limited research documentation supporting TCM efficacy, and the growing prevalence of unregulated advertising for products lacking scientifically validated quality and safety.

“The absence of monitoring systems for the safety of herbal products, coupled with insufficient research to substantiate the efficacy of TCM, has led to a surge in the advertisement of products with unverified quality and safety standards,” Dr Mponda remarked.

Implications for Public Health

Dr. Andrina Mwansambo, Head of HIV Prevention and Management, highlighted the detrimental implications of unregulated TCM for individuals undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

“Unregulated TCM products, practitioners and practices may lead patients to substitute prescribed therapies with alternative treatments, potentially undermining their immunity and compromising treatment efficacy,” she explained, reaffirming the National AIDS Commission’s (NAC) commitment to supporting regulatory initiatives.

Optimism for Policy Advancement

Dr Nitta Nayeja, Deputy Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, expressed optimism regarding the TCM Policy review process and identified potential funding sources to facilitate its implementation.

“There is reason to be hopeful about advancing the policy review. Potential funding from international partners, including India, offers a promising avenue to support these efforts,” Dr Nayeja stated.

The collaborative engagement between KUHeS, MoH, NAC, the Medical Council of Malawi, the Pharmacy Medicines Regulatory Authority, and the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi represents a significant milestone toward the establishment of a regulatory framework for TCM practices in Malawi. This endeavor seeks to safeguard public health and promote the responsible use of traditional and complementary medicine within the country.