Funding research into complementary medicine: the situation in Britain.

This article outlines the theoretical options for research funding for complementary medicine in Britain. Sponsorship from the National Health Service, the Medical Research Council, Medical Research Charities, the industry and private donations constitute the main potential sources. Surveys of the actual funding spent by these sources are evaluated. The data thus generated suggest that funds for research into complementary medicine are not readily available in the UK. Several suggestions are made to ameliorate this situation and the case for 'ring-fenced' funding is put forward, not least on the basis of international experience.