Traditional Chinese medicines gain nod of WHO

The recent move of the World Health Organization (WHO) to include traditional medicine in the latest edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems drew mixed reactions from various stakeholders.

The said publication serves as the "foundation for the identification of health trends and statistics globally, and the international standard for reporting diseases and health conditions," according to the WHO.

According to a report by Mariz Umali in GMA New's "24 Oras" on Monday, many pharmacies in Binondo, Manila sell traditional Chinese medicines but prescriptions from Chinese doctors are strictly required to ensure the safety of those who will take it.

Ferdinand Dayro, a certified acupuncturist who prescribes traditional medicines for the past 16 years, said that these are more effective than Western medicines.

"Sa traditional Chinese medicine makikita niyo po 'yung combination ng herbs kung ano 'yung body constitution ng tao, ng isang individual, iaakma siya doon sa plant energy, 'yung energy ng halaman," Dayro said.

Some critics, however, are not in favor of the said recognition and claimed that the toxicity levels of some herbs being used in traditional medicine were very high.

"'Yung dose hindi ka sigurado at nagkakaroon ng toxicity sa liver at sa kidneys kaya ang dami rin nada-dialysis right now sa pag-inom ng mga herbal medicines o supplements na hindi natin alam kung ano ang contents nila, kung ano ang nilalaman nila, considering hindi naman eksakto ang dose minsan," Health advocate Dr. Anthony Leachon said.

Dayro, on the other hand, said that anti-toxicity herbs are also part of traditional medicine.

"Kung Chinese medicine po ang pag-uusapan, meron po 'yang apat na component. Meron 'yung pang-kontra or antagonist herb na tinatawag, 'yun 'yung pangkontra doon sa toxicity," he said while claiming that around 100 Chinese herbal medicines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health reminded the public to make sure that the medicines they take are FDA-approved.

"Lahat po ng medicine po, drugs na iniinom po ini-intake natin, dapat FDA-approved kasi kung wala po talagang FDA ‘di mo dapat siya ite-take dahil ‘di natin ginagarantiya ‘yung kaniyang efficacy and quality," DOH Assistant Secretary Charade Mercado Grande said. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News