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Health
Herbal Medicines
In December
2003 the European Parliament passed a new regulation on herbal medicines,
setting quality standards for medicinal herbs and stipulating 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 at the same
time.
John Bowis worked
to remove the threat to herbal remedies contained in the original
proposals which stated that only remedies that have been safely
available in the EU for 15 years could be sold. Following the Parliament's
vote, however, Member States will be able to grant special dispensation
for any remedy, provided there is adequate evidence of its safety.
John Bowis 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."
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