Audit of a person who was operating in alternative medicine centres which revealed a number of infringements

Following an anonymous complaint, Inspectors - Auditors of the Thessaloniki Regional Office of the National Transparency Authority carried out an audit of a person who was operating two alternative medicine centres in Thessaloniki and Athens.

The audit revealed that the alleged naturopath:

1. Ηe/she made undocumented therapeutic and diagnostic claims for various conditions, through websites, his/her professional public profile on social media and as an employee of the naturopathic centres,
2. He provided treatment to patients at least through written advice and publications, while he did not hold a medical licence and therefore engaged in the misuse of his medical profession in breach of the law.
3. He operated energy medicine devices in the private centres in which he operated, without complying with the provisions of the relevant legislation on special authorisation for feasibility and operation.

It should be noted that there is institutional ambiguity as to whether non-doctors may possess such devices.

1. He placed on the Greek market a colloidal silver preparation, which he promoted as a dietary supplement via social networks, without a marketing authorisation from the National Organisation for Medicines.
2. He put on sale from the above-mentioned private centres legally marketed dietary supplements, whereas the sale of dietary supplements is only allowed by pharmacies or by shops licensed to sell standardised food products.

It should be noted that there is no regulatory framework for the operation of naturopathy centres in Greece and they operate without professional certification and without an operating licence.

Following the above findings, the audit report of the ΝΤΑ was forwarded:

1. To the National Organisation for Medicines, in order to

• To the Commission to proceed with the imposition of the prescribed administrative fines; and
  • to consider the possibility of carrying out a general control on the circulation of colloidal silver preparations in the Greek market, since their circulation poses a risk to public health.

1. The Ministry of Health, in order to legislate on the exercise of all naturopathic/alternative medicine activities, with a view to issuing a licence for the establishment and operation of such activities, subject to specific terms and conditions, with a view to protecting the health and property of citizens.
2. To the Central Health Council, in order to decide whether the method of biosynthetics can be performed by other scientists/health professionals and under what conditions.

The report has been communicated to the competent prosecuting authority for the criminal assessment of what is contained therein.