Germany's Solution to Validating Tibetan and Chinese Medicine

Abstract

This paper aims to offer an overview of the history of Tibetan medicine and its emerging contributions to Western mainstream medical culture and to compare Tibetan medicine with Western medicine. Within this, there will be a brief introduction about the current status of Tibetan Medicine in the US; Followed by a proposal to change federal drug and clinical policy guidelines on botanical drugs and alternative medicine applying German drug policies as exemplary guidance. In recent years, the United States increasing reliance on Tibetan health practitioners is evidenced by the public’s interest in an alternative to conventional Western medicine. Tibetan medicine has been integrated into and has made large contributions to the US Healthcare system and yet despite all of this recognition and support, Tibetan medicine remains unregulated by US health and drug agencies. Measures and guidelines, with exemplars from Germany’s management of botanical medicines, will be used to evaluate how Tibetan medicine meets and exceeds federal standards of medical safety and protection. The results of which will contribute to the public’s knowledge and increase incentives for on-going research. The ultimate goal is to change the U.S States’ attitude about Eastern medicines so much so that they gain regulation from the Federal Drug Administration.