| It looks like the self appointed world regulators are
starting to get busy now.
We better pay attention. I think there may be a scare
the public campaign going on here. Suppliments
are classified as food (i.e. leaves, traditional herbs) not
drugs.
Will this be the way WHO will get supplements regulated ??
.From website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/print/news/fullstory_16009.html
WHO Issues Guidelines for Herbal Medicines
Tue February 10, 2004 10:40 AM ET
GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization on Tuesday
issued guidelines for ensuring the safety and efficacy of
the multi-billion dollar herbal medicines market amid reports
that some products are tainted with toxic substances.
The guidelines, intended for national regulatory bodies,
lay out the best techniques for growing and harvesting medicinal
plants used for various ailments or weight loss, as well as
the clear labeling of the contents of any product.
Herbal medicines represent an estimated $60 billion a year
global market, some 20 percent of the overall drug market,
according to the U.N. agency. Yet only China, Japan and the
European Union have regulations for medicinal plants.
"It is not a binding guideline for any country, but
it is a model or sort of checklist which they can use to make
their own national regulations," Hans Hogerzeil, acting
director of WHO's essential drugs and medicines department,
told a news briefing.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration last December issued
a consumer alert on the safety of dietary supplements containing
ephedra, also called Ma huang, a natural substance.
The adrenaline-like stimulant, used for weight loss or to
boost sports performance, can have dangerous effects on the
heart.
In Africa, up to 80 percent of the population depends on
traditional medicine for primary health care. In China, herbal
preparations account for up to 50 percent of total consumption.
In Europe, North America and other industrialized areas,
more than 50 percent report using complementary or alternative
medicine at least once, according to WHO.
"There is also an enormous industry now where huge amounts
of leaves and traditional medicines are being shipped from
various exporting countries -- China, India, Pakistan -- to
many other countries. Somebody has to regulate that, at least
their safety," Hogerzeil said.
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