ARE YOU CONSIDERING DISCUSSING NATURAL MEDICINE WITH A DOCTOR?
Natural medicine may be considered as a treatment option to aid in managing a range of symptoms where conventional treatments or medicines have failed or fallen short, and if deemed an appropriate medical path by an authorised doctor.
Natural medicine may also be considered by your doctor as an adjunct therapy alongside other treatments to offer a multi-pronged holistic view of your symptom management.
WHY GO TO A PRESCRIBING DOCTOR FOR NATURE-BASED THERAPY?
Legal ingredients in natural medicine have to meet the quality assurance standards mandated by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration).
These legal natural medicine ingredients are tested for potency, microbiological contamination, toxins that could come from the plant and any residual pesticides or insecticides.
Prescribing natural medicine appropriately in order to achieve the best possible outcome can only be done if the prescriber knows the exact concentration of active ingredients in a product.
This means doctors can monitor reactions, side effects and alter doses accordingly.
Illegal products, such as many that can be bought online without a prescription, may have varying amounts of active ingredient, or no active ingredient at all. They are also usually untested.
WHAT SHOULD I ASK THE DOCTOR?
You may have asked your GP about natural medicine, and it’s possible that your doctor was not comfortable or felt experienced enough in this emerging field of medicine to prescribe.
At Valentius, our team is well versed in natural medicine and can answer your questions and work together with you to ascertain if this is an appropriate treatment path.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Treatment is not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme.
However, the DVA considers funding on a case-by-case basis and if you are considered eligible, DVA may either partially or fully cover your treatment.
Our Valentius healthcare team can assess whether natural medicine is appropriate for your symptoms and if you are deemed eligible, we will navigate the DVA funding application pathways for you.