Which of the following is NOT a CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapy category?

The identification of pharmaceutical therapies as not being a category of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies is grounded in the fundamental distinctions between conventional medicine and CAM practices. CAM encompasses various practices that typically fall outside of standard medical offerings and emphasizes holistic approaches.

Alternative Medical Systems, Mind-Body Interventions, and Biologically Based Therapies are all recognized categories within CAM. Alternative Medical Systems include comprehensive frameworks such as traditional Chinese medicine and homeopathy. Mind-Body Interventions focus on the connection between mental and physical health, including techniques like meditation and yoga. Biologically Based Therapies involve the use of natural substances, such as herbs and dietary supplements.

In contrast, pharmaceutical therapies are centered around the use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, which are part of conventional allopathic medicine rather than CAM. This conventional approach relies on scientifically tested drugs to treat symptoms and diseases, distinguishing it from the alternative practices that characterize CAM. Thus, the inclusion of pharmaceutical therapies does not align with the principles or classifications of complementary and alternative medicine.