Every so often, news outlets publish the comments of an ‘expert’ bringing into question either the safety or effectiveness, of so-called ‘natural’ medicines.
The most recent of these articles can be found on the ABC’s website: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2813236.htm?site=news
As I was reading this article, I reflected on the products I sell in my own practice and thought it timely I share with you my thoughts on this subject as well.
Australia has a body which governs the safe manufacture and distribution of all therapeutic goods. This body is called the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is a division of the Department of Health and Ageing. You can visit their website here: http://www.tga.gov.au .
All herbal products sold in my practice are manufactured, safely, under TGA guidelines. Australia has a two-tiered regulatory system in place for complementary medicines. This system is based on ‘risk assessment’. Items are either “Listed” (which means the ingredients are deemed low risk) or “Registered” (which means the ingredients are considered high risk).
You can tell if an item is recognised by the TGA as the product labelling will contain something like this “AUST L” and then a registration number.
What that number means is that the TGA is satisfied that the ingredients of the product are commonly used, tested for efficacy and that they have a body of evidence behind them which supports their use.
The TGA also monitors the manufacture of these products and also records any known reactions experienced by people taking these products.
So, reports like that listed above are not wrong – but they are not entirely right either.
When I was studying in China I often came across herbal medicine products which had been combined with steroids, antibiotics and a host of other pharmaceutical drugs. When not administered by a practitioner qualified in both pharmacology and herbology (the name the Chinese give to the practice and study of herbal medicine), these products could be very dangerous.
Similarly, I guess it is always possible that such products might find their way onto the shelves of some disreputable supplier somewhere in Australia. But if they had not passed the watchful eye of the TGA, they would be in breach of the act to be selling these items. I do not sell any such products in my clinic. I purchase my stock from recognised and reputable suppliers.
This is why it is ALWAYS a good idea to check the bona fides of your clinician who is selling you these products. Many of the herbal medicine products I sell in my clinic are designated “Practitioner Only” and to order and sell these I need to be a registered member of the Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association.
Most herbal medicine products I sell are manufactured in factories in China under the watchful eye of the TGA. Products are routinely tested for heavy metals and only the highest quality herbs are used.
It is true, however, that there are some Chinese herbal medicinal products which, if inappropriately administered, can be dangerous. While I don’t always agree with their rulings on these herbs, the TGA has banned the use of several commonly used herbs as they considered them to pose a risk to the community.
What’s more, it is my opinion that Chinese herbal medicine products should only ever be dispensed by an appropriately qualified practitioner – one who has the appropriate level of training to safely diagnose and prescribe. Again, this is an important part of your checking your clinician’s bona fides.
Thanks for reading and your comments, thoughts and reflections are most welcome….
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