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news.This follows up recent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) action to make several companies withdraw unlicensed herbal medicines that made illegal claims.
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These claims included Dr & Herbs’ advertisement that an immunity booster was effective against tumors, Real Herbs/Real Dream’s advertisement that a capsule product could inhibit tumor growth, and Rena Chinese Medical Centre’s claim that clinical trials proved that a capsule product had “strong effects in controlling HIV.”
The new MHRA guidance warns consumers to be wary of unlicensed herbal medicines illegally claiming to treat particular diseases. Other warning signs for consumers, the agency said, are claims that a herbal medicine is “100% safe,” or dangerous advice to stop taking a medicine prescribed by a doctor.
“The MHRA will not hesitate to take firm regulatory action against those who seek to take advantage of the public when they are most vulnerable,” commented Richard Woodfield, head of herbal policy at the MHRA. “The good name of responsible operators in the herbal sector is being brought into disrepute by a minority that disregard laws intended to protect the consumer.”