Go directly to legislation of specific CAM therapies in North Macedonia:
Acupuncture – Anthroposophic medicine – Ayurveda – Chiropractic – Herbal medicine/Phytotherapy – Homeopathy – Massage – Naprapathy – Naturopathy – Neural therapy – Osteopathy – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Other treatments
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (hereinafter North Macedonia) became independent in 1991 following the break-up of Yugoslavia (11), and was granted candidate country status for European Union (EU) membership in 2005 (11). North Macedonia became a member of the Council of Europe on 9 November 1995 (12). In 2018 the country changed its name to North Macedonia.
The legal and regulatory status of CAM and CAM practices
The process of reviewing health legislation in North Macedonia started in 1991 (204). The Law on Public Health (2010) has included CAM in chapter VI Special provisions: “Traditional and complementary medicine, tattoo, piercing, permanent makeup, acupuncture and beauty care activities” (205). “A legal and natural person (human being) can perform activities related to CAM… only if a permit from the Minister of Health is obtained”. Permits are issued if criterias regarding the facilities, equipment and skilled staff are fulfilled (205).
Further, according to article 35, information of health effects and risk to the client shall be prescribed by the Minister of Health (205). The Law on health care (206) and the Health Insurance Act (207) regulate the health care services (204). According to Kamcev N et al.(2010); “The terms such as complementary and alternative medicine do not exist in the national law legislation in Macedonia” (208).
However, the use of homeopathic and traditional herbal drugs is accepted, described and regulated as practice in providing health care for the general population. Non-qualified professionals do not have rights to practise CAM”(208). “The ongoing process on EU accession shall reflect the need to follow EU policy and legislation related to free movement of people, goods and profession regarding implementation of CAM practices in the country”(208). WHO reports that laws and regulations on TCM/CAM were issued in 1998 (59). CAM medicinal products were included in legislation from 1998 and CAM practices have been introduced in legislation from 2010.
On 19 December 2009 a visa liberalization with EU came into force (11). A web-news report from MOH 7 July 2009 commented that this would contribute to increased mobility for health personnel and medical students and North Macedonian diplomas would be acknowledged in the countries in Europe. Since Macedonia is a candidate country we have not found any health professions from North Macedonia registered within the EU regulated professions database (7, 133).
The governmental supervision of CAM Practices
According to the Public Health Law, VIII Supervision, article 42 (205) supervision will be carried out by the Ministry of Health and the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate. Complementary and traditional medicine, with acupuncture treatment specified, is included in the law, and by that included in the supervision regulative system.
The reimbursement status of CAM practices and medicinal products
We have no information of the status of reimbursement of CAM treatment.
7. The European Commission. Regulated professions database. Brussels: EUROPA; 2011 [cited 2012 February 10, ]; Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/regprof/index.cfm?fuseaction=regProf.index.
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.
59. WHO. National policy on traditional medicine and regulation of herbal medicines: Report of a WHO global survey. Geneva: World Health Organization 2005 May 2005. Report No.
133. Hellenic republic ministry of health & social solidarity, Directorate-general for health services, Directorate for health and medical care professions section A. Recognition of professional qualifications. Athens: The European Commission, 2010 28.8.2010. Report No.: Ref: Your Document ref No 75346/IA/28-6-2010 Contract No.: Ref.No Y7a/G.P 81298.
204. Kamcev N, Angelovska B, Kamceva G, Richter K. Health Organization in Republic of Macedonia—the place of preventive health care in the medical health system: advantages and disadvantages. The EPMA Journal. 2010;1(4):595-9.
205. The law on Public Health, No. 22 of 15.02.2010, Parliament of the Republik of Macedonia (2010).
206. Sobranie na Republika Makedonija, Zakon za zdravstvena zastita, Sl.vesnik na RM br.38/91, 46/93, 55/95 i br. 5/2007 (Law on health care), Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia (1991).
207. Sobranie na Republika Makedonija, Zakon za zdravstveno osiguruvanje, Sl.vesnik na RM br. 25/2000 i br. 18//2007 (Health Insurance Act), Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia(2000).
208. Снежана ЧИЧЕВАЛИЕВА (Snezana CHICHEVALIEVA), Билјана ЦЕЛЕВСКА (Biljana CELEVSKA), Роберт ВЕЛИЧКОВСКИ (Robert VELICHKOVSKI). КОМПЛЕМЕНТАРНА И АЛТЕРНАТИВНА МЕДИЦИНА (КАМ) ВО РЕПУБЛИКА МАКЕДОНИЈА: ПРАВНА АНАЛИЗА (Complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) in the republic of Maceconia).
