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The assessment method of evidenced-based medicine only gives account of visible symptoms and the disease. Some practitioners and many patients are turning to healthcare providers who are less often physicians and more often those who advocate a holistic approach to a greater or lesser extent. This article reviews the new forms of competition that traditional medicine has itself strengthened by neglecting their study and development. This includes parallel, soft, alternative, traditional, natural and holistic medicine, as well as placebo effect, dietary supplements and self-medication, etc. The economic question that subtly arises in the background is the following: should broader efficacy criteria be adopted than those used for the assessment of healthcare procedures and products?