ABSTRACT
The form of regulation most commonly sought up until is statutory self-regulation. The future integration of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with orthodox medicine will not necessarily depend on statutory regulation, even though this may be cited as another reason to pursue regulation. The scope of CAM therapists to practise CAM therapies and CAM patients to receive them largely depends on how these therapies fit in with the government’s overall health strategies. Changing political climates therefore have a direct impact on the regulation of CAM. The government has stated that it will only consider regulation of therapies that can demonstrate the efficacy of their treatments. Regulation may give an air of respectability to a particular therapy and thereby be a means of enhancing public respect and status. Statutory regulation is more effective than voluntary self-regulation, although it remains to be seen what would happen if a significant number of professionals refused to join a statutory register.
