Herbal Medicine in Crisis: the Government must act to protect patients

In April 2011 a European law called the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) will be implemented. Although justifably aimed at improving the scrutiny and quality of herbal medicinal products unfortunately its requiremetns are excessively stringent and expensive, to such an extent that a large number of herbal medicine suppliers have been unable to meet its requirements and consequently it now seems that huge numbers of currently available herbal products will be taken off the shelves and made illegal in April THIS YEAR!

The Government is due to decide on the nature of regulation that herbalists shoud be subjected to very soon - perhaps as soon as the end of January and certainly before April. Any regulation that is not 'statutory' will be meaningless and will not protect access to a full range of high quality herbal medicines. The Department of Health's own investigation recommended that herbalists should be statutorily regulated by the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the HPC has written to the Secretary of State for Health saying it is ready to undertake this initiative as soon as the Government gives the go-ahead. Yet we still wait for an answer...

So, if you want to help please write urgently to your MP and also to the Minsiter of State and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State asking the Government to act NOW and statutorily regulate herbal practitioners.

Mark Prisk MP
Minister of State
Department of Business, Innovation & Skills
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

Anne Milton MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Public Health)
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS

Together we can safeguard your right to obtain the herbal medicines you want. Thank you for your support. For the full article visit PETER CONWAY the herbalist.

Help Save Herbal Medicine

Herbalists will joining the protest rally organised by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists on Monday 2nd November from 12 noon at Old Palace Yard Westminster (opposite the Houses of Parliament) with a mass lobby of Parliament starting at 2.30pm.

Legislation coming into force in 2011 will mean the end for herbal medicine in the UK unless the government acts now to introduce Statutory Regulation for medical herbalists - the herbalists are in favour of this but the government seems to be dragging its feet.

Join us on a Demonstration and Lobby of Parliament from 12 noon until 4pm at Old Palace Yard, Westminster and arrange to meet your MP on the day. If you are unable to join us on Monday then please do sign the Consultation document before 16 November. For more details see the NIMH website at http://actnow.nimh.org.uk/

Thanking you in advance for your support.

Herbal Medicine

Today I've finally found the courage to set up this blog. I'm sure it will evolve over the weeks and months ahead as I become familiar with all the technical aspects. I intend on sharing information about herbs that will benefit menopause and executive stress although I'm sure there will be lots of other topics too!