The two-year research project will examine the scientific and policy implications of these medicines. The investigation aims to develop a comprehensive overview of CAM use in the country, and regulation and training recommendations for the complementary sector.

The study will cost $1 million and is being sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and 16 other federal agencies.

The research will be carried out by the Institute of Medicine, part of the US National Academies - a non-government body set up to advise the US government on public health issues.

A panel of about 16 experts from a range of CAM and traditional healthcare backgrounds will collect and analyse existing data. They will try to answer a number of questions, such as how to evaluate therapies, how they are regulated, the extent of CAM coverage by health insurers, and licensing and certifying issues for practitioners.

Dr Stephen Straus, director of NCCAM, said, "Americans use CAM therapies in record numbers." He said the report would give scientists a clearer understanding of the scope of CAM use by Americans, as well as its public health impact, and scientific and policy issues.

The White House Commission on CAM Policy published its final report in March this year, in which it made 29 recommendations.

In the UK, an investigation into CAM was carried out by a House of Lords select committee. The report, published in November 2000, called for tighter regulation, a stronger evidence base and better training for health professionals in the field of CAM.

From Health-news.co.uk