Anthroposophic pharmacy

Anthroposophic pharmacy is the discipline related to conceiving, developing and producing medicinal products according to the anthroposophic understanding of man, nature, substance and pharmaceutical processing. One of the most characteristic features of anthroposophic medicine is the attempt to describe health and natural medicine in scientific as well as in spiritual terms. Anthroposophic pharmacy utilises vegetable, mineral and animal materials, manufactured according to particular principles and is sometimes potentised.

Anthroposophic medicines should be considered as complementary to conventional medicines and are often used in combination with them.

In 2005, a health technology assessment (HTA) produced the first systematic review of the efficacy, utility, costs and safety of anthroposophic medicine as part of the Swiss Government's evaluation of complementary medicine (PEK). The report concluded that there are many studies that show positive outcomes for anthroposophic medicine, although the methodological quality of the studies is very variable. In terms of safety almost all studies emphasise the good tolerability of anthroposophic medicinal therapies.

The conclusion of the PEK process was that there was insufficient evidence to support reimbursement of any of the five therapies investigated, including both anthroposophic medicine and homeopathy.

The manufacture and use of anthroposophic medicines dates back to Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), who together with Dr Ita Wegman (1876–1943) invented anthroposophic medicine at the beginning of the 20th century. Steiner and Wegman's ideas were extended by the chemist Dr Oskar Schmiedel (1887–1959), who manufactured anthroposophic medicines from 1920 onwards and introduced the newly conceived formulations and manufacturing processes into pharmaceutical practice. A second important pioneer of anthroposophic pharmacy was Dr Rudolf Hauschka (1891–1969).

Anthroposophic medicine is now practised in over 60 countries, and for example in Germany is recognised as a special therapy system in the Medicinal Product Act (Arzneimittelgesetz) and in the Code of Social Law (Sozialgesetzbuch) V (Paragraph 34, section 3). There are approximately 15,000 doctors in 22 European countries who prescribe anthroposophic medicinal products, e.g. in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy. It is estimated that in Germany some 6 million patients use anthroposophic medicine. According to the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association (BPI), for example, anthroposophicals reached a turnover in 2011 of 52.8 million Euro (Data March 2013).

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