WHO Guidelines for Herbal Medicines

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See this, sent to CHA by

 

Phil

 

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WHO Issues Guidelines for Herbal Medicines

Tue 10 February, 2004 15:40

 

http://www.reuters.co.uk/

newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews & storyID=4325861 & section=ne

ws

 

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% of the population depends on traditional

medicine for primary health care. In China, herbal preparations

account for up to 50% of total consumption.

 

In Europe, North America and other industrialized areas, >50%

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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