European Union to Regulate Herbal Products

[HuckleB]

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/?p=3191

"Regulations are about to go into effect in the EU regarding the sale of herbal products. The regulations seem reasonable, but they have sparked near hysteria on the part of herbal sellers and advocates of “natural” medicine.

The law was sparked by cases of toxicity from over-the-counter herbal products. For example, aristolochia is a toxic plant species that is either used deliberately or can be accidentally or carelessly substituted for other plant species. It is known to cause kidney damage – even leading to kidney failure is some cases. Another herb, kava, has been linked to liver damage.

The new EU law, going into effect May 1, 2011, will require herbal products to be licensed, or prescribed by a licensed herbal practitioner. In order to be licensed evidence for safety of the product must be presented. It is estimated that it will cost between 80,000 and 120,000 British pounds to get an individual herbal product licensed.

I find it interesting, and completely predictable, that sellers of herbal products are wailing that this is all a conspiracy by “Big Pharma” to crush the little guy and steel all the herbal profits for themselves, or to ban herbal products to protect their drug profits. But this is a straw man. The real question here is the balance between marketing freedom and quality control – but those who want to defend their right to sell herbs don’t want to discuss the real issues, apparently.

..."


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I've posted the lead paragraphs only, as it makes more sense to read the whole piece.

:hi:

[HuckleB]

1. So efficacy still is not a concern. :(

[rucky]

12. Claims of efficacy need to be backed up.

But under the shield of herbal practitioners, producers don't need to make claims on their packaging anymore to push their products.

So i guess you have a point, there.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Gee, that is not slanted at all, is it?

[BuddhaGirl]

3. totally slanted and ridiculous!

:puke:

[HuckleB]

5. Exactly what is incorrect in the piece?

Exactly what is "ridiculous" in the piece?

:shrug:

[HuckleB]

6. I'm still waiting.

[Desertrose]

9. Ridiculous.....?

Maybe this part....

"herbal products to be licensed, or prescribed by a licensed herbal practitioner. In order to be licensed evidence for safety of the product must be presented. It is estimated that it will cost between 80,000 and 120,000 British pounds to get an individual herbal product licensed."


And you don't think this is because big pharma wants to control it all? Oh no, you think they just want to make things *safe* for all of us.

Considering herbs have been around pretty much as long as mankind has ...suddenly we need to "license" them & prove their safety? Like we have to copyright the genomes of seeds so that only certain corporations have the rights to own/control them.....riight.

[HuckleB]

10. Ah, so you want unproven products to be put on the shelves without basis.

That has nothing to do with "BIG PHARMA."

That's basic consumer safety from scams and harm.

Do you have any other red herrings to push?

[HuckleB]

11. So you have no reply other than to offer a ridiculous logical fallacy?

:shrug:

[HuckleB]

7. And waiting...

[HuckleB]

8. The lack of an explanation is very telling.

:rofl:

[HuckleB]

4. Slanted? Perhaps.

Is there anything that is incorrect in the piece?

:shrug: