Hard times ahead for herbs

Herbal medicines and the companies selling them could be threatened by a new EU directive which came into force today.

The 'traditional herbal medicinal products directive' demands that herbal remedies like echinacea and St John's Wort conform to the same regulatory framework as conventional pharmaceuticals. This is very expensive and herbal remedy manufacturers says they cannot afford it.

Pressure group Consumers for Health Choice say: 'Costs and registration requirements have yet to be clarified, but indications are that several product ranges and some smaller businesses will be decimated.' They hope that there will be some flexibility providing that consumer safety is not at risk.

Firms must now get their products approved by an independent agency, the MHRA. Product registration is only open to finished products (not the ingredients) which have enjoyed at least 30 years use. The argument that certain hearbs are 'traditional' will only be accepted for mild conditions which are unlikely to become serious. Herb and nutrient mixtures as well as staright herbal products could be affected by the directive.

Roy Alder, Director of Executive Support at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: 'This legislation means that consumers will have assurance as to the quality and safety of manufactured over the counter traditional herbal medicines registered under the new scheme. It will allow for more informed choices as registered products will be accompanied by reliable information about the product and how to use it.'

But it could also mean that there are very few of these products on the market and consumers will have no alternative to conventional drug treatments.

Your favourite herb will not disappear overnight as the regulations will be phased in. Products legally on the market at April 2004 are protected until April 2011. Products will be gradually registered under the scheme, with the first reaching the market over the next few months.