News

17th December 2003

Threat to Herbal Remedies Lifted

New laws on the availability of herbal medicines, which will remove the threat to herbal remedies, such as Rescue Remedy, were voted on in the European Parliament today.

The proposals originally stated that only remedies that has been safely available in the EU for 15 years could be sold. However, following the vote, special dispensation will be available for any remedy, provided there is adequate eveidence of its safety.

John Bowis MEP, Conservative Health Spokesman in the European Parliament, said:

"The threat to pull herbal remedies off the shelves across the UK has been avoided. Following this vote, traditional herbal remedies that have been safely available in the United Kingdom for years can still be sold.

"It will now be up to Member States to decide on whether products which have been available for less than 15 years can be sold."

Notes:

The proposal also sets standards for medicinal herbs and stipulates the inclusion, on labelling and in package leaflets, of simple and clear indications regarding the potential toxicity and possible interactions with food, drinks and other drugs taken simultaneously.