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Risk warning over herbal medicine

Potentially dangerous herbal medicines could be on sale in Britain,
the drugs regulator says.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency warned
consumers not to buy a range of unlicensed products it suspects has
reached the UK market.

The medicines - which claim to treat a range of problems from skin
disease to indigestion - were found on sale in Canada containing heavy
metals.

The MHRA warned they could cause nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Officials from the regulator are surveying retailers to see if they
are on sale.

Roy Alder, a director at the MHRA, said: "Medicinal products
containing high levels of heavy metals pose a serious public health
risk.

"Many of the products we suspect to have entered the UK may contain
mercury, arsenic and lead.
Damage "These metals can cause severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal
pain. Other serious problems such as kidney damage, convulsions and
coma have also been reported."

Individuals who believe they may have taken any of the products should
discontinue use and consult their pharmacist or doctor.
These are the products, and their manufacturers, that the MHRA is
warning consumers not to take:

· Karela tablets (Shriji Herbal Products, India)
· Karela capsules (Himalaya Drug Co, India, and Charantia, UK)
· Yograj Guggul tablets (Zandu Pharmaceuticals, India)
· Sudarshan tablets (Zandu Pharmaceuticals, India)
· Shilajit capsules (Dabur India Ltd, India)
· SAFI Liquid (Hamdard-WAKF-Pakistan and Hamdard-WAKF-India)
· Maha Sudarshan Churna Powder (Zandu Pharmaceuticals, India,

D&K Pharmacy, Chhatrishha, Dabur India Ltd - all India)


More checks on alternative health
Complementary medicine is to be more closely regulated, the government
has announced.

Around £900,000 will fund the regulation of homeopathy,
aromatherapy
and reflexology.

The system will be overseen by the Prince of Wales's Foundation for
Integrated Health.

In addition, a new Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee will be set up
to provide expert safety and quality advice to ministers.
It will be set up by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA).

The government is currently considering proposals for a statutory
system of regulation of herbal medicine and acupuncture
practitioners.
It is set to publish its response early next year.
The proposals covering the other areas of complementary healthcare
will fund voluntary self-regulation schemes.

It is the first time the foundation has been given funding to act as a
regulator.

'Progress'
Health Minister, Lord Warner said: "Thousands of people use
complementary healthcare and it's important that patients are
confident that these services are provided by qualified and competent
practitioners."

Michael Fox, Chief Executive of The Prince of Wales's Foundation for
Integrated Health said: "We believe that complementary healthcare
practitioners should be properly qualified, competent and insured.
"Our program has achieved much in building the confidence of the
complementary and conventional sectors over the past five years.

"We welcome the progress being made towards the introduction of
statutory regulation for acupuncture and herbal medicine, and for
voluntary self-regulation of other complementary professions."

Contributed By Medicsidnex PRESS - FROM BBC.CO.UK

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