Go directly to legislation of specific CAM therapies in Germany:
Acupuncture – Anthroposophic medicine – Ayurveda – Chiropractic – Herbal medicine/Phytotherapy – Homeopathy – Massage – Naprapathy – Naturopathy – Neural therapy – Osteopathy – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - Other treatments
Greece became a member of the European Union (EU) in 1981 (11) and became a member of The Council of Europe on August 9, 1949 (12).
The legal and regulatory status of CAM and CAM practices
There is no law governing the practice of CAM in Greece. Regulation of CAM practices is a difficult combination of self-regulation combined with statutory regulation. CAM is recognized as an additional qualification for medical doctors (132). Only medical doctors are authorized to practise acupuncture, and diplomas are issued by a national doctors’ association (132). Postgraduate training is provided by private teaching centers (132). Other CAM treatments are practised by both doctors and non-doctors, and there are no official qualification requirements for such treatment (132). The Ministry of Trade is responsible for CAM (homeopathy) (41, 132). The Ministry of Health and social solidarity in Greece has in a report dated 27.8.2010 (133) evaluated how the EU Directive 2005/36/EC(5) about recognition of professional qualifications has been followed up from 2005 to 2008. Doctors, nurses, general practitioners, dentists and orthodontists have used the automatic recognition system without any problems. Physiotherapists are included in the evaluation (17.9.2010/ref No. 115870/IA). The Health Directorate of the Prefectural Authority is responsible for granting an authorization to practise a profession. From 2011 this is delegated to the competent regional authorities. We have not found any description of CAM professionals in this evaluation (133).
The governmental supervision of CAM Practices
Authorization, diplomas and CME training are delegated to and controlled by the medical associations (132). No law requires any formal qualifications for practising CAM, on the other hand practitioners have complete responsibility for their practice (132).
The reimbursement status of CAM practices and medicinal products
The tax offices have certain codes for reflexology, aromatherapy, homeopathy and acupuncture for tax purposes. Some private insurance companies cover CAM treatments(like acupuncture and homeopathy) provided by doctors, but CAM medicines are not reimbursed (41,132). CAM provided by non-medical practitioners is not reimbursed (41).
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.
41. ECHAMP. Homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine in the EU: Facts and Figures 2011 (Third edition). In: European Coalition on Homeopathic and Anthroposophic Medical Products, editor. Third ed. Brussels: ECHAMP E.E.I.G.; 2011.
132. Hegyui G. Questionnaire about the status of CAM therapies: (“CAMbrella” Project, EU FP 7): Greece. Budapest: CAMbrella WP2 2010.
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.
