Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
ALMOST 80 PER cent of Irish people want to see some form of regulation of traditional herbal medicines.
Research carried out by the Irish Medicines Board reveals that 77 percent of people think regulation is important, while 80 per cent believe it is necessary to inform their doctor when taking herbal medicine.
A new regulatory system for traditional herbal medicines will come into effect across all EU member states from Sunday 1 May. From then on herbal medicinal products on the Irish market will need to carry a certificate of traditional use registration. Companies were given a seven year warning of the EU directive coming into effect.
Pat O’Mahony, Chief Executive of the IMB says there has been an increase in evidence that herbal medicines can produce side effects and can have an effect on other medicines being taken. O’Mahony says that herbal medicines should be used with care.
The survey of 1,000 people also found that 62 per cent of people think that herbal medicines should be required to meet the same safety and quality standards as other medicines, while 44 per cent assumed that herbal remedies are safe because they are natural. This rose to 67 per cent among consumers who actually use herbal products.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
@Laura apologies if you think I’ve been ignoring your requests, that certainly isn’t the case. I’m sure you can appreciate that it isn’t possible to be available to respond 24/7
As a few commenters have already indicated, the article is based on information provided to TheJournal in the form of a press release. The article in this instance serves to only pass on the information. I have no access at this moment in time to detailed survey information. That’s not to say that the story won’t be followed up in the future. The healthy debate and comments that have followed are shaping and developing the story, which is encouraged and welcomed by The Journal, and may be indicative that a more in-depth look should be taken. Please be assured that there is absolutely no personal agenda or bias here. It is simply a report on a a survey.
Thanks for reading
have your say