July 13, 2026 · Health policy
Evidence First
Patients deserve safe, effective care—whether a therapy is ancient or new.
Traditional and complementary interventions should be evaluated using the same scientific standards applied throughout healthcare. Respect for tradition cannot justify a lower threshold for efficacy, safety, or surveillance of harm.
Question for the audienceCan health systems respect tradition without lowering the bar for evidence?
Source: Cyriac Abby Philips et al. “WHO’s misguided push for complementary and alternative medicine.” BMJ 2026;393:e100062.