Go directly to legislation of specific CAM therapies in Malta:
Acupuncture – Anthroposophic medicine – Ayurveda – Chiropractic – Herbal medicine/Phytotherapy – Homeopathy – Massage – Naprapathy – Naturopathy – Neural therapy – Osteopathy – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Other treatments
Malta became a member of the European Union in 2004 (11) and a member of the Council of Europe on 29 April 1965 (12).
The legal and regulatory status of CAM and CAM practices
According to the Health Care Profession Act 2003, part V “No person shall practise any of the professions complementary to medicine unless his name is entered in the respective register kept by the Council for Professions Complementary to Medicine, in accordance with the provisions of this act” (210). The health care profession act, third schedule, article 28 lists acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy and physiotherapy as statutory regulated CAM treatments (210), and the professions are registered in the EU regulated professions database (106). Other CAM providers are not legally regulated in Malta, so anybody may treat if the treatment is not restricted to regulated CAM practitioners (43). Physicians may practise CAM (43).
The governmental supervision of CAM Practices
According to the Health Care professions act, part VII, article 31-41 the relevant Council (Council for each profession) have the power to investigate misconduct or a breach of ethics by registered professionals falling under its supervision (210). There are restrictions on advertising treatments and clinics (43).
The reimbursement status of CAM practices and medicinal products
Some therapies are covered by public insurance in Malta (60).
11. EUROPA. Gateway to the European Union; member countries. Brussels EUROPA
Communication department of the European Commission; 2011 [cited 2011 November 3]; Available from: http://europa.eu/about-eu/countries/index_en.htm.
12. Council of Europe. Council of Europe. Strasbourg: Council of Europe; 2011 [cited 2011
November 7]; Available from: http://www.coe.int/lportal/web/coe-portal.
43. Ersdal G, CAM-CANCER consortium. How are European patients safeguarded when using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)? Jurisdiction, supervision and reimbursement status in the EEA area (EU and EFTA) and Switzerland. Tromsø: NAFKAM, University of Tromsø 2005 28 October Report No.: Report CAM 21.11.05-1.doc.
60. ECHAMP. Homeopathic and Anthroposophic Medicine: Facts and Figures. Second Edition ed: ECHAMP E.E.I.G: European Coalition on Homeopathic and Anthroposophic Medicinal Products E.E.I.G; 2007.
106. CAMDOC Alliance ECH ECPM ICMART and IVAA. The regulatory status of Complementary and Alternative Medicine for medical doctors in Europe. Brussels 2010 January 2010. Report No.: 2010.
210. CHAPTER 464, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS ACT; To regulate the practice of health care professions in Malta, 21st November, 2003: Part V Professions Complementary to Medicine, Parliament of Malta(2003).
