Example alternative therapies dissertation topic 3:

Regulating the claims of alternative medicine – An overview of the present situation.

Noting a need to protect customers from false advertising, whilst still giving them freedom of choice with regard to alternative medicines, this dissertation reviews the present state of complementary medicine regulation within the United Kingdom. Benefitting from a substantial existing literature, this dissertation will build upon the secondary data already available by interviewing alternative medicine practitioners so that their concerns relating to ‘over-regulation’ can be adjudged. After all, as advocated of alternative medicines note, over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol can be toxic if overdosed; therefore, why should their industry be more heavily regulated?

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Day, M. (2007). ‘Complementary medicine: Mapping the alternative route’. British Medical Journal, vol. 334(7600), 929.
• Hunt, K.J., Coelho, H.F., Wider, B., Perry, R., Hung, S.K., Terry, R. and Ernst, E. (2010). ‘Complementary and alternative medicine use in England: Results from a national survey’. International Journal of Clinical Practice, vol. 64(11), pp. 1496-1502.
• McGarry, H., Pirotta, M., Hegarty, K. and Gunn, J. (2007). ‘General practitioners and St. John’s Wort: A question of regulation or knowledge?’ Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 15(2), pp. 142-148.