A critical few weeks for herbal medicine

A quarter of the UK public use herbal remedies each year. The government faces a vital decision about whether to make herbalists and acupuncturists statutorily regulated or not - public consultation on the subject ended on 16th November 2009.  

Statutory regulation will lead to greater safety for the public and greater accountability for both professions.  Previous government consultations, stretching back 10 years, have been in favour of regulation.

A second issue is the change to herbal registration due in April 2011.  After that date, only regulated practitioners will be able to prescribe unregistered herbs.  If herbalists are not regulated, the public may lose access to a whole swathe of prescriptions.  Some will turn to the internet and risk buying unsafe remedies. 

We are urgently calling for the government to agree to statutory regulation.  Below, see our position statement and find out what you can do.