Legal principles of applying natural therapeutic assets in the practice of European countries

doi:10.26565/1727-6667-2025-2-13

Nataliia Vernihorova State Institution «Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», 29 Frantsuzkyi Blvd, Odesa, 65044, Ukraine http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5968-4211

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26565/1727-6667-2025-2-13

Keywords: regulatory policy, natural therapeutic assets, rehabilitation, innovative development, health resort industry, integrative approach, foreign experience.

Abstract

The article examines foreign experience regarding the integrated approach to utilizing natural therapeutic assets within the spheres of rehabilitation, the health resort industry, and medical practice. The legislative framework is analyzed using the examples of France, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The selection of the first three countries is justified by their high level of integration of natural therapeutic resources into medical services. Poland’s experience is of particular interest due to the similarities in the development of its health resort sector with that of Ukraine. Furthermore, the study analyzes the current state of integration of natural therapeutic resources into medical services and the existing regulatory framework governing the rehabilitation process in Ukraine. It has been determined that a significant barrier to integrating therapeutic resources into the medical sphere is their perceived status of lacking an evidence base. Conversely, the significant number of natural therapeutic asset deposits in Ukraine requires proper inventory and a thorough analysis of their pharmacological properties. Therefore, aligning the use of natural therapeutic resources with best European standards necessitates not only regulatory adjustments but also comprehensive laboratory and analytical research of existing resources.
Key provisions within the regulatory documents of the examined European countries were analyzed; specifically, those regulating the use of natural resources as therapeutic agents and classifying health resort treatment as a medical service. Key features of regulatory frameworks that drive the integration of natural therapeutic resources into medical and rehabilitation practices have been identified, highlighting their importance for adoption within Ukraine’s legal framework.
Based on the research results, practical recommendations have been formulated for developing an integrated approach to the medical use of Natural Therapeutic Assets (NTA) in Ukraine. It is noteworthy that future research prospects include formulating a development strategy for the rehabilitation sector using NTA that addresses contemporary challenges and needs in Ukraine.

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Author Biography

Nataliia Vernihorova , State Institution «Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Researches of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», 29 Frantsuzkyi Blvd, Odesa, 65044, Ukraine

PhD in Economics, Researcher of the Department of Economic Regulation of Nature Management,
State Institution «Institute of Market and Economic & Ecological Researches
of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine», 29 Frantsuzkyi Blvd, Odesa, 65044, Ukraine

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