Government proposes to regulate herbalists and acupuncturists
Proposals to register and regulate herbalists and acupuncturists under a statutory scheme have been put forward by the UK government. Consultation on plans to establish a Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council continues until 7 June. The proposed council would regulate herbal
practitioners, acupuncturists and practitioners
of traditional Chinese medicine.
Concurrent consultation is also taking place on Medicines and Healthcare
products Regulatory Agency proposals for reform of the regulation of
unlicensed herbal remedies.
The MHRA consultation, MLX299, suggests subtly different regulatory requirements
for herbal remedies made up on a herbalist’s own premises, third
party remedies intended for use by registered herbalists in one-to-one
consultations and remedies made up by unregistered practitioners, such
as aromatherapists, homoeopaths, naturopaths and acupuncturists.
In each case, the MHRA believes that the safety and efficacy of unlicensed
remedies is a matter for individual practitioners. However, it suggests
that the introduction of statutory registration for practitioners would
make it possible to classify ingredients as being prescription-only,
for supply by registered pharmacies or for supply by registered practitioners
only. It proposes the maintenance of a register of acceptable herbal
ingredients by the planned regulatory council.
The MHRA believes that unregistered practitioners should not be allowed
to order the making up of remedies by third party suppliers. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal