The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7230 p3
4 January 2003

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Statutory instrument: Wales, England, Scotland
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Food Standards Agency (www.foodstandards.gov.uk)

Kava products banned from 13 January

Products containing the herbal ingredient kava are to be banned.

Following concern over liver toxicity of kava, which led to manufacturers being asked to withdraw products voluntarily from the market in December 2001, the ingredient is to be banned from all medicines from 13 January 2003. Parallel legislation being drawn up by the Food Standards Agency will prohibit the inclusion of kava in food products and dietary supplements.

Dr Liz Williamson, from the University of London School of Pharmacy, said: "The liver toxicity associated with kava, although rare, is idiosyncratic. Because of the limited data available a risk to benefit assessment, which is routinely completed for all licensed medicines, is not possible. No specific risk factors have been identified and it is not possible to predict who is at risk before they use kava. In addition, no measures to reduce the risk, or the severity of liver reactions, are available."