The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7335 p137
5 February 2005

This article
Reprint   Photocopy

  Acrobat Reader

News summary

Related websites
Consultation letter (PDF 130K)
Online response form (more)

MHRA starts review of ban on kava in unlicensed medicines

The two-year-old ban on kava in unlicensed medicines is to be reviewed.

The view of the Committee on Safety of Medicines remains that the herbal ingredient is dangerous. The review is taking place because a commitment to a review after two years was made when the ban was introduced.

Although the toxicity mechanism is unknown, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency now knows of 84 cases of hepatotoxicity suspected to be associated with the use of kava products. Overall, nine patients have suffered irreversible liver failure and received transplants. Six patients, including one transplant recipient, have died.

Evidence can be submitted to the review until 30 April.