National medicines policies are the basis for defining the role of TM/CAM in national health care system, ensuring that the necessary regulatory and legal mechanisms are created for promoting and maintaining good practice, assuring the authenticity, quality, safety and efficacy of TM/CAM products and therapies and providing equitable access to TM/CAM health care resources as well as information about them.  In recognition of this World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution, TM urges member states, where appropriate, to formulate and implement national policies and regulations on TM/CAM in support of proper use of traditional medicine and its integration into national health care systems, depending on the circumstances in their countries. 

Safety, efficacy and quality of TM/CAM enhanced through expanding the knowledge base on the safety, efficacy and quality of TM/CAM and providing guidance on regulation and quality assurance standards. 

TM/CAM practices have evolved within different culture in different regions.  As a result there has been no parallel development of standards and methods, either national or international for evaluating them.  This is especially true of herbal medicines.  The efficacy and quality of which can be influenced by numerous factors.  The regulation and registration of herbal medicines are the key measures to ensure their

safety, quality and efficacy. 

The quality and quantity of the safety and efficacy data on traditional medicine are far from sufficient to meet the criteria needed to support its use worldwide. 

One of the reasons for the shortage of research data is the lack of the financial incentives as most of these products are not covered by patents.  Scientifically justified and accepted global research methodology for evaluating the efficacy and safety of traditional medicine is a major challenge. 

Although there has been a recent increase in the number of governments that regulate herbal medicines, national regulations and registration of herbal medicines vary from country to country. 

Where herbal medicines are regulated, they are categorized in different ways "e.g. prescription medicines, dietary supplements, health food". 

However, a group of herbal products categorized other than as medicines, may also exist within the same country.  Moreover, the regulatory status of particular herbal product varies in different countries.  Regulatory status also determines the access or distribution route of these products. 

An additional challenge is the increasing popularity of herbal

products categorized other than as medicines or foods.  There is an increased risk of medicine-related adverse events, due to lack of regulations, weaker quality control systems, and loose distribution channels (including mail order and internet sale). 

The rational use of TM/CAM depends on a range of factors, including the need for adequate training, registration and licensing of providers, proper use of products of assured quality and provision of scientific information and guidance for the public. 

The efficacy and safe practice of TM/CAM therapies are closely linked to the qualification of practitioners.  Good practice in TM is dependent on proper training, the registration of practitioners and the licensing of TM/CAM practice. 

The traditional medicines are increasingly used outside the confines of traditional culture and fare beyond traditional geographical areas, without proper knowledge of their context and use.  Moreover they are also used in different doses, extracted in different ways and used for indications which are different from their traditional intended use.  To compound the problem, contrary to their use in traditional context, traditional medicines are now often used in combination with other medicines-a practice which has become a safety concern.