Bahrain introduces new laws on alt medicines

Bahrain will introduce new guidelines to regulate the Gulf state’s alternative medicine industry, a senior official has said. The new laws, scheduled to come into effect within weeks, means only licensed physicians in homeopathy, ayurveda and Chinese medicine, will be allowed to practice, the CEO of National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), told Gulf Daily News. “So far, there have been no rules governing such practice but now they will have to follow a set norm before they can be registered to operate,” said Dr Baha Eldin Fateha. “The idea is not to target the existing places but to regulate the practice in such a way that it benefits patients and those providing the services,” he added. The new regulations, which are awaiting approval, follow several cases of reported misuse of herbs for cancer and diabetes patients.