The alternative therapies will be regarded as being equal to conventional medicine for Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance scheme from 2017.

The therapies had been rejected by the country’s health authorities for a lack of scientific proof of their efficacy in 2005, but a groundswell of support for them from the majority of the Swiss population caused a change of heart, and so they were included in the health insurance scheme until 2017 under a probationary arrangement.

However, they were all required to prove their “efficacy, cost-effectiveness and suitability” by then in order to remain in the scheme. But the Swiss authorities announced last week that it was “impossible to provide such proof for these disciplines in their entirety”, and so would grant them equal status going forward.

The government has started a consultation period until June 30 when its revised position can be discussed.