Preprint / Version 1

Twenty years of traditional and complementary medicine regulation and its impact in Malaysia: achievements and policy lessons

Authors

  • Ji-Eun Park Center for Global Collaboration, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
  • Junhyeok Yi Traditional Korean Medicine Policy Team, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
  • Ohmin Kwon Department of Data of Traditional Korean Medicine, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea

Keywords:

ASEAN, Malaysia, Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Integration, Institutionalization, WHO health systems framework

Abstract

Many countries are trying to integrate traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) into their health care systems. However, it is not easy to integrate T&CM within a given health care system. This study aims to draw policy outcomes and lessons from the case of Malaysia, which has been making efforts for over 20 years to integrate various types of T&CM into the national health care system (NHS). Methods Documents were searched in major databases and websites using words such as Malaysia and T&CM, and additional documents were secured using snowballing techniques. Data were classified and organized according to the World Health Organization health systems framework. Results Malaysia has focused on managing the safety and quality of T&CM, and to that end it has been institutionalized by enacting specialized laws rather than by applying existing medical law directly. Malaysia was able to institutionalize T&CM by adopting a step-by-step approach that considered the appropriateness of administrative policies and measures. Conclusions Malaysia's experiences in implementing its T&CM policies will raise practical implications for countries struggling to integrate their existing T&CM into the NHS and utilize it for universal health coverage. Keywords: ASEAN, Malaysia, Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Integration, Institutionalization, WHO health systems framework

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