Malta
(ref 1)
Summary
In Malta anybody may treat but law restricts the scope of their activities. Acupuncture, osteopathy and chiropractics are regulated.
Professionals and non-professionals
Legally regulated personnel
Licensed and registered medical professionals are allowed to practise medicine. In the Health Care Professions Acts the professions recognised by law are listed. No person shall practise any of the professions complementary to medicines unless his/her name is entered in the respective register kept by the Council for the Professions Complementary to Medicine. Acupuncture, osteopathy and chiropractics are among the recognised professions listed. According to the law, an allopathic physician registered to practise in Malta must refer all persons to be treated by traditional medicines, including acupuncture. Allopathic physicians may practise CAM.
Anybody may treat-
But some treatments are restricted to regulated personnel
CAM providers are not legally regulated in Malta. It is stipulated in the law that non-allopathic providers are not allowed to perform procedures reserved for recognised allopathic medical professions such as physicians, physiotherapists, and pharmacists. However, it is not prohibited for CAM providers to practise medicine.
Although there are no legal sanctions on CAM providers themselves, a breach of the regulation in the law constitutes a criminal offence. There are also restrictions on advertising treatments and clinics.
Reimbursement
Malta does not have a reimbursement system. Consequently they do not reimburse CAM.
References
1. Maddalena S. The legal status of complementary medicines in Europe. Berne: Universitè de Neuchâtel, Stæmpfli Publisher Ltd. 1999. and Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care. Malta 23.11.04 and 28.09.05 (euaffairs.mhec@gov.mt)
