Working to develop the scientific basis for a permanent regulatory framework for anthroposophic medicinal products in Europe

Introduction

The European Scientific Cooperative on Anthroposophic Medicinal Products (ESCAMP) aims to develop the scientific basis for a permanent regulatory framework for anthroposophic medicinal products (AMPs) in Europe. This includes methods and standards for the scientific assessment of efficacy/effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of AMPs as well as appropriate categories, criteria and documents for regulatory assessment of AMPs.

ESCAMP has a three-stage evaluation strategy:

  1. Description of Anthroposophic Medicine and AMPs
  2. Evaluation of AMP therapy as a whole system
  3. Evaluation of single AMPs and AMP groups in monographs

This evaluation will integrate existing scientific data e. g. from the Anthroposophic Pharmaceutical Codex [1], the Monographs of the Commission C [2,3], and from a health technology assessment report on Anthroposophic Medicine [4]. In addition analyses on existing databases such as the Vademecum of AMPs [5] and the EvaMed-pharmacovigilance database [6-8] will be performed. Furthermore, ESCAMP may initiate new research projects.

ESCAMP was founded in March 2010 as an incorporated charitable association with headquarters in Freiburg, Germany.

Reference List

  1. Anthroposophic Pharmaceutical Codex APC. Dornach: Third Edition. The International Association of Anthroposophic Pharmacists IAAP; 2013.
  2. Anthroposophische Arzneimittel. Aufbereitungsmonographien der Kommission C [Anthroposophic medicinal products. Monographs of the Commission C]. Filderstadt: Physicians’ Association for Anthroposophical Medicine in Germany; 1999.
  3. Glöckler M, editor. Anthroposophische Arzneitherapie für Ärzte und Apotheker [Anthroposophic medication therapy for physicians and pharmacists]. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag; 2008.
  4. Kienle GS, Kiene H, Albonico HU. Anthroposophic medicine: effectiveness, utility, costs, safety. Stuttgart, New York: Schattauer Verlag; 2006. Update: Kienle GS, Glockmann A, Grugel R, Hamre HJ, Kiene H: Klinische Forschung zur Anthroposophischen Medizin – Update eines "Health Technology Assessment"-Berichts und Status Quo. Forsch Komplementmed 2011;18, DOI: 10.1159/000331812.
  5. Arendt A, Karutz M, Kuck A Kummer KR, Schwartz R, Simon L, Soldner G, Sommer M, editors. Vademecum of Anthroposophic Medicines. First English edition. Filderstadt: Medical Section of the School of Spiritual Science; International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations (IVAA); Association of Anthroposophic Physicians in Germany (GAÄD); 2009.
  6. Jeschke E, Ostermann T, Tabali M, Bockelbrink A, Witt CM, Willich SN, Matthes H. Diagnostic profiles and prescribing patterns in everyday anthroposophic medical practice - a prospective multi-centre study. Forsch Komplementärmed 2009;16(5):325-333. doi 10.1159/000235239
  7. Jeschke E, Luke C, Ostermann T, Tabali M, Hubner J, Matthes H. Verordnungsverhalten anthroposophisch orientierter Ärzte bei akuten Infektionen der oberen Atemwege [Prescribing practices in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in anthroposophic medicine]. Forsch Komplementärmed 2007;14(4):207-215. doi 10.1159/000104171
  8. Jeschke E, Ostermann T, Tabali M, Vollmar HC, Kroz M, Bockelbrink A, Witt CM, Willich SN, Matthes H. Pharmacotherapy of elderly patients in everyday anthroposophic medical practice: a prospective, multicenter observational study. BMC Geriatr 2010;10(48). doi 10.1186/1471-2318-10-48

Last update: January 2021