Searching for a Cure: The FDA's Regulatory Approach to Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine

Abstract

I will begin this discussion by describing traditional Chinese medicine and how it compares to the Western medical tradition. Second, I will then examine why regulation is necessary given the impact of Chinese herbal medicine on American healthcare. Then, I will proceed to the problem of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, namely, the issue of regulating Chinese herbal medicine under current statutory provisions. Fourth, I will analyze state and federal responses to alternative therapies in general and Chinese herbal medicine in particular, afterwards focusing on the FDA's piecemeal approach thus far. Finally, I will examine two potential models for reform, Germany and Canada, to see if there are lessons to be leamed from their practices.