Australians are increasingly turning to complementary medicines to manage their own health and wellness but want more research into whether they work, according to new survey results released today.

The survey was supported by the MBF Foundation and draws from Research Australia’s 7th annual Health and Medical Research public opinion poll, undertaken by independent market research company Crosby|Textor.

The survey shows that 59% of Australians agree there should be more government funding for more research into complementary medicines. Only 17% disagree (see table below).

At the same time, Bupa Australia’s claims data across its HBA, Mutual Community and MBF brands shows a 59.6% jump in benefits paid for complementary therapies over the past five years to more than $25 million in 2007-08. The rebates cover a range of practices including acupuncture, remedial massage, and Alexander and Bowen techniques, and consultations for naturopathy and Chinese herbs, amongst others.

Bupa Australia Chief Medical Officer and Chair of the MBF Foundation Steering Committee Dr Christine Bennett said the survey findings demonstrated that Australians were increasingly using a range of therapies to help prevent illness and better manage their own health, and were seeking evidence to support and expand their choices.

“Many people with diagnosed illness use complementary medicines in addition to the prescribed treatments from their doctors, while others use them instead of or before opting for conventional treatments,” Dr Bennett said. “Others still use complementary therapies because they believe they are helping them to keep well. They are sometimes viewed as more natural alternatives for people faced with long-term use of pharmaceuticals.

“However, questions do remain around whether or not some complementary medicines work. Bupa Australia supports calls for more research to address these evidence gaps. At the same time we encourage those who are considering using complementary medicines to first consult their primary medical practitioner or pharmacist, because complementary medicines can interact with conventional treatments.”

Professor Alan Bensoussan, Executive Director of the newly established National Institute of Complementary Medicine, said the new opinion poll results were not surprising.

"I'm pleased to see that, for the first time in my experience, Australian consumers have been asked whether they wanted to see an increase in funding for complementary medicine research,” Professor Bensousssan said.   

“To date, complementary medicine hasn’t been sufficiently recognised by the health system as having something very real and tangible to offer in terms of health outcomes and, potentially, cost-savings.

“Yet, worldwide there is a growing evidence base for the use of certain supplements, such as fish oil for heart patients and glucosamine for arthritis, and today’s findings show that the public supports our aim to widen and increase that body of knowledge, which will ultimately add to their healthcare choices.”

About the MBF Foundation

The MBF Foundation was established by MBF Australia in 2005 as a charitable organisation to support partnerships and activities in important health research, health education and programs to help build a healthier Australian community.

Focusing on promoting wellness and preventing obesity, healthy ageing and keeping healthcare affordable the Foundation to date has received around 500 high quality proposals and funded over 30 projects nationally. We are partnered with leading researchers, academic institutions and community groups.

For more information, please visit www.mbf.com.au/foundation or email foundation@mbf.com.au

¹ This is a significant trend even taking into account the acquisition of new businesses, MBF Alliances, in 2005.

More Research Funding into Effectiveness of Complementary Medicines

Q In 2007, the National Health and Medical Research Council provided $5.7 million for research into the effectiveness of complementary medicines including vitamins and dietary supplements. Do you agree or disagree (and is that strongly or somewhat agree or disagree) that there should be more government funding for research into the effectiveness of complementary medicines?

*Any variation of ­+/-1% in total scores is due to rounding.

* The survey was a nationally representative online poll of 832 adults across Australia undertaken in August 2008