Complementary and alternative drug therapy versus science-oriented medicine.

This opinion deals critically with the so-called complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapy on the basis of current data. From the authors' perspective, CAM prescriptions and most notably the extensive current endeavours to the "integration" of CAM into conventional patient care is problematic in several respects. Thus, several CAM measures are used, although no specific effects of medicines can be proved in clinical studies.

[Treatment recommendations from the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association].

The clinical practice guidelines of the Drug Commission of the German Medical Association (DCGMA) are intended to provide a solid basis of therapeutic rationality. Being evidence-based and practice-orientated, these guidelines are not supposed to restrict or replace independent and responsible action. The DCGMA board selects the topics with their importance to general practice being a relevant criterion.