Guest guest Posted February 10, 2004 Report Share Posted February 10, 2004 http://www.reuters.co.uk/ newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews & storyID=4325861 & section=news WHO Issues Guidelines for Herbal Medicines Tue 10 February, 2004 15:40 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2004 Report Share Posted February 10, 2004 Herbal medicines represent an estimated $60 billion a year global market >>>And then people say there is no money for proper studies. With this kind of money we should demand more funding for good studies Alon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2004 Report Share Posted February 10, 2004 Group, For those wishing to read the WHO news 'from the source' can reference this link. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/notes/2004/np3/en/ If interesting in ordering the 133 page guidelines the following link will allow you to order the document for USD 45.00. http://www.who.int/medicines/library/trm/medicinalplants/agricultural. shtml herb Seal Beach, California USA , " " wrote: http://www.reuters.co.uk/ newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews & storyID=4325861 & section=news WHO Issues Guidelines for Herbal Medicines Tue 10 February, 2004 15:40 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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