Concern over traditional Chinese medicines
Consultation has begun on a proposal to extend the
list of potent or toxic ingredients which are not permitted in unlicensed
herbal medicines.
The current list of ingredients restricted in unlicensed
medicines dates from 1977 before the use of traditional Chinese medicines
(TCMs) and Ayurvedic (Indian) medicines was widespread in Britain.
The Medicines Control Agency is continuing to find
potentially dangerous and illegal ingredients in TCMs. Recently they have
been found to include Aristolochia, which was associated with two cases
of renal failure in Britain in 1999, mercury and arsenic compounds, and
steroids.
Professor Alastair Breckenridge, chairman of the
Committee on Safety of Medicines said: “We recognise that many people
value herbal remedies, such as traditional Chinese medicines, and are
keen that people carry on having the choice to use them. However, there
is clear evidence that standards used in the production of some TCMs on
the UK market are, at best, unreliable.”
When buying TCMs people should always be aware of
the possibility of low quality or illegal products, Professor Breckenridge
says. They should not take them if they are not labelled, and do not include
a list of ingredients, in English. Even then, clear labelling is not in
itself a guarantee of good quality standards.
“Ultimately public confidence in TCMs can only be
maintained if the sector itself makes rapid progress in introducing systematic
and assured quality controls throughout the supply chain.”
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