The Society of Medical Doctors has issued an urgent call for the government to establish a regulated industry for traditional and complementary medicines (TCM), warning that the current unregulated market is exposing the public to serious health risks.

The call comes as traditional and herbal remedies continue to flood the market without standardized safety or efficacy checks. Society President, Dr. Victor Mithi, stated that a structured, science-backed approach is critical to protect consumers.

“We must build a safe and effective system on a clear framework: establishing quality control standards, conducting scientific research, and formally integrating traditional medicine into the national health system,” Dr. Mithi said.

He specifically highlighted a significant gap in current practices. “A critical missing link is research,” Dr. Mithi emphasized. “We need more scientific evidence to understand the benefits, risks, and proper dosage of these traditional medicines.”

The ultimate goal, he noted, is not to suppress traditional practices but to harness their potential benefits while ensuring they meet rigorous safety standards alongside modern medical care.

In response, the Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has indicated that the process of regulation is already in motion. Joseph Josiah, Public Relations Officer for the PMRA, confirmed that the legal foundation is solidly in place.

“The Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Act (2019) is already available. Sections 62 and 68 of the Act grant the PMRA the authority to regulate the safety, quality and advertisement of Traditional and Complementary medicines,” stated Josiah. “Pending the gazettement of TCM regulations, PMRA is actively enforcing section 68 which mandates prior screening and approval by the authority for all medicines and allied substances advertisements, including TCM products.”

He added a crucial distinction regarding the full scope of the law: “Section 62 deals with marketing authorization of TCM products or registration, a component we are not implementing at the moment pending gazettement of the Regulations.”

Josiah also stated that the Authority's current enforcement of advertising controls is a proactive step to protect public health while the comprehensive regulatory framework is finalized.

The exchange reveals a critical juncture for public health policy: while medical doctors are raising the alarm over immediate dangers, regulators assert that specific legal mechanisms are already being used to bring initial structure and safety to the sector.

Dr. Mithi concluded, “The time for action is now. We cannot afford to wait until a preventable tragedy forces our hand.”