Regulating herbal medicine and acupuncture

But that is not the case. There is no regulation. Anyone, including those without knowledge or training, can describe themselves as a herbalist or acupuncturist and then offer diagnosis and treatment to the public.

Nothing except the consumer’s good sense protects the public, nothing guarantees that the practitioner is properly trained and up to date – and nothing prevents incompetent and disreputable ‘therapists’ from practising.

There have been many instances of so-called herbal medicines that contain substituted ingredients, undeclared pharmaceutical products or even toxic heavy metals. Reputable herbalists – and there are many – are horrified by this trade. Acupuncture is safe in the hands of trained practitioners, but from the untrained there could be the risk of infection from dirty needles or damage to organs below the skin.

That is why The Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health has long campaigned for statutory regulation of acupuncture and herbal medicine. Now the government is carrying out a public consultation into that proposal. There are just a few days left to respond – it closes on Monday 16th November. We urge everyone with an interest in these therapies to respond by writing to the Department of Health consultation team at consultation.co-ordinator@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Foundation medical director Dr Michael Dixon said:

'Impending changes in EU law will soon mean that many herbal remedies will only be available from statutorily regulated practitioners.

'We fear that, if the government refuses statutory regulation of herbalists, we will see a black market in herbal products, with unlicensed, potentially dangerous remedies promoted through the internet or peddled by a near criminal element.

'That will put public health at even greater risk at the same time as restricting consumer choice. Statutory regulation is an essential move.'

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. A position statement is available giving more detail about the risk of harm associated with poor practice, the benefits of statutory regulation and impending changes to EU law. Media enquiries to Pat Goodall, 07789 871234, 01246 410707 or pat.goodall@fih.org.uk

2. All other enquiries to contactus@fih.org.uk or call 020 7033 4955.

3. The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health was founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1993. Its principal aim is to make sure that all patients can access good integrated healthcare. That means treating patients as whole human beings – paying attention to body, mind and soul. It may include access to proven complementary therapies, but the Foundation does not suggest that is necessarily the best course of action for all conditions and all patients. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.fih.org.uk.

4. The current public consultation on the statutory regulation of acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine is being carried out on behalf of the four UK health ministers. More information is available here..

5. The EU Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products will be fully implemented on 1st April 2011 when it will replace Section 12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968. From that date, the sale or supply of pre-prepared and manufactured herbal products for prescription to individual patients will be restricted to “authorised healthcare professionals”, that is, practitioners who are statutorily registered. More information about the implications of this is available from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).