Herbs – regulation, medicines or foods?
The regulation of herbs is covered by the THMPd, (Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive), which requires that all herbal medicines must be registered by April 2011. The IMB (Irish Medicines Board) has published a consultation document on herbs. Accompanying the consultation are two lists of herbs, those which may be eligible for inclusion as food supplements and those which will not be permitted as food supplements. Many herbs which are important for the CAM community are not included on either list. We recommend that all practitioners and our consumers who utilise herbs should participate in the consultation process. A professional and trade associations can be utilised but it is also open to any member of the public. See the details on www.imb.ie and then the word ‘consultation’.
Filed under: New Vistas News, Regulation
