TITLE:
Desperately Seeking the Tools of Ethics for Traditional Medicine
AUTHORS:
Ishmael D. Norman
KEYWORDS:
Code of Ethics, Traditional Medicine, Consumer Protection, Ghana
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Applied Sociology,
Vol.6 No.7,
July
28,
2016
ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the perceived adequacy of the Code of Ethics of the Traditional Medicine Practice as contained in Act 575 of 2000, with respect to patient and manufacturer protection. Method: The author reviewed the legal framework for the regulation of Traditional medicine in Ghana. Investigation was conducted on the worldwide web to identify literature that addressed the research question and reviewed for best practice. Result: The Code of Ethics of the Traditional Medicine Council of Ghana is inadequate for client and manufacturer protections. It is a professional code of ethics, which is skewed to industry players. This vacuum provides opportunity for mistakes, patient endangerment and even fatality. Discussion: There is an established national legal framework for the regulation of the industry with the secondary function of the taxonomy under the framework towards enhanced taxcollection by government. Patient protection code of ethics needs to be developed. Conclusion: The Council needs to develop the ethical framework that would protect both the ultimate beneficiaries of their products and services as well as the workers and operators in the industry.