Annotation

The development of traditional medicine as an integral component of healthcare systems necessitates the establishment of an effective legal framework capable of balancing the individual's right to choose treatment methods, the protection of public health, and the preservation of traditional knowledge. Although traditional medicine is widely practiced throughout the world, national approaches to its legal status, regulatory mechanisms, professional requirements, and the scope of governmental supervision differ considerably. Based on a comparative legal analysis of the legislation of the Russian Federation, Mexico, Bolivia, Cuba, Serbia, Spain, and several other jurisdictions, the article identifies the principal models of legal regulation of traditional medicine, examines statutory definitions, qualification requirements for practitioners, and the limits of state intervention. Based on the study of legal regulation practices of traditional medicine in Russia and foreign countries, the main shortcomings of the current legislation have been identified, including the absence of uniform requirements for traditional healers and a defined list of permissible practices, which creates risks for the realization of citizens’ right to health protection and the uniform application of legislation. The author proposes specific measures aimed at improving the legal regulation of traditional medicine in Russia, which may contribute to reducing the risks of harm to citizens’ health when seeking assistance from traditional healers.