Anthroposophic medicine, health and social care

Anthroposophic Medicine: Facts and Figures

Increasingly well recognised, some facts and figues

Anthroposophic medicine, from its inception in 1920 to the present day, has been able to develop well within the European member states. It has found increasing recognition both amongst the general public and in the academic world, as illustrated by the following data:

Today there are about 2 000 trained anthroposophic doctors (general practitioners and specialists) who are members of the 30 national anthroposophic doctors' associations which come under the umbrella of the IVAA.

Based on the number of prescriptions it has been estimated that anthroposophic medicinal products are prescribed by more that 30 000physicians in 18 of the 27 EU member states (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Eire, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom) as well as in Norway, Switzerland and some 65 countries worldwide.

Anthroposophic medicine is integrated in general and specialised public healthcare in several European countries (Austria,  Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK), in Brazil and in the USA. It is used in the context of all illnesses, for both minor and major indications.

All specialities are represented, including Internal Medicine, Obstetrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, Intensive Care units and First Aid stations, with a total of 2 200 beds. Several clinics have recently been classified as "Baby-Friendly Hospital" by WHO-UNICEF.

Anthroposophic hospitals include 

  • university teaching hospitals (Germany, Switzerland)
  • other hospitals integrated into basic public health care and emergency care (Germany, Sweden)
  • departments for anthroposophic medicine in public hospitals (Austria, Germany, Switzerland)

Legal situation

Anthroposophic medicine or anthroposophic medicinal products are legally recognised in the following states: Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
 

For further information please contact the respective national medical associations. Anthroposophic medicinal products are also partly recognised by the European Union.