Bulletins - Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMs)

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There is far less information about the effectiveness, safety and potential for interactions for complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) compared to conventional medicines. There is no regulation of their quality or contents in New Zealand. Consider also other risks of CAMs, such as patients choosing them over conventional treatment, and the often substantial cost.   Report any possible adverse effects or interactions to CARM.

Taking Complementary and Alternative Products with Your Medicines - November 7, 2022

  Key points: There is far less information about how well complementary and alternative products work and how safe they are compared to medicines. There are no rules in Aotearoa NZ to make sure the contents are what the label says. This makes it difficult to say whether the...

Quality of complementary and alternative products - October 15, 2021

Complementary and alternative products (CAPs) include: herbals (dried plant materials, plant extracts), dietary supplements, probiotics and homeopathic products. For most CAPs sold in New Zealand, adherence to the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is voluntary and regulatory approval is n...

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) - November 1, 2018

November 2018 There is far less information about the effectiveness, safety and potential for interactions for complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) compared to conventional medicines. There is no regulation of their quality or contents in New Zealand. Consider also othe...

Complementary & Alternative Medicines: Curcuma longa (Turmeric) - July 4, 2018

Curcuma longa (Turmeric)   July 2018 There is far less information about the effectiveness, safety and potential for interactions for complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) compared to conventional medicines. There is no regulation of their quality or conte...

Complementary & Alternative Medicines: Artemisia annua - July 4, 2018

  Artemisia annua  July 2018 There is far less information about the effectiveness, safety and potential for interactions for complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) compared to conventional medicines. There is no regulation of their quality or cont...