9 March 2006
ADVICE TO PUBLIC ON TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINES
The public is being alerted about the quality and safety of some Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs).
The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) has issued the advice following inspections of six shops in Northern Ireland. This re-iterates recent advice about TCMs from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Inspectors from the DHSSPS's Pharmacy Branch carried out a number of searches in six TCMs retail outlets last week. They took samples of products believed to be adulterated with chemicals other than herbal material. Further investigations and analyses are ongoing.
A spokesperson for the DHSSPS said: "We are currently investigating a quantity of products we have removed during searches of the TCMs retail outlets. The searches follow concerns raised by MHRA about the quality and safety of TCMs in the rest of the UK.
"While many individual remedies are unlikely to pose any threat to public health we would ask the public to be wary of buying any remedies where they are uncertain as to the nature and quality of the ingredients. In particular, people with medical conditions should be very cautious about buying products which are poorly labelled or which do not include a full list of ingredients in English. People should always inform their doctor or pharmacist if they are taking a herbal remedy."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Medicines Inspectorate, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is responsible for inspection and enforcement of statutory medicines controls in Northern Ireland and works closely with the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
- The MHRA is the Government Agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe, taking any action necessary to protect the public.
- A new framework for authorising the marketing of traditional herbal remedies, the traditional herbal medicines registration scheme - as required by the European Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products - was established on the 30 October 2005. The new legislation will enhance public confidence with respect to the safety and quality of over the counter (OTC) herbal remedies. Manufacturers will be required to meet consistent quality and safety standards that reflect good practice in the herbal industry.
- This is a significant improvement in legislation. Until now, unlicensed herbal remedies in the UK have not had to meet set standards for safety, quality and consumer information. The consumer has had no way of knowing which products are made to acceptable standards. Responsible companies following high standards have been at a commercial disadvantage. There is well documented evidence of an international trade in low grade, and sometimes unsafe, herbal medicines.
- Further information about the traditional herbal medicine registration scheme can be found on the MHRA webside: www.mhra.gov.uk. Further information about herbal safety issues can be found on the MHRA's dedicated herbal Safety News pages.
- The Department acknowledges the co-operation of the proprietors of the outlets involved following the search activity.
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