Sir, - I was delighted to learn from Kevin O'Sullivan's report in your edition of February 15th that UCD's facility of medicine has approved in principle a proposal to establish a new higher diploma in acupuncture, which will be offered to doctors and physiotherapists with a minimum of two years' post-graduate experience.
The faculty's readiness to consider certain forms of alternative or complementary medicine on their merits is encouraging. It is in sharp contrast to the bizarre decision of the former Minister for Health who, without any real justification, placed severe restrictions on the general sale of the herb hypericum. This retrograde step renders it more difficult and/or more expensive for the many people who receive much benefit from the use of hypericum to obtain their supplies. It also makes us, in this country, the laughing stock of our more enlightened fellow-Europeans. - Yours, etc., Robert Thompson,
Rockville Park, Blackrock, Co Dublin.