Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-11-20-Speech-3-326"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20021120.10.3-326"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"Mr President, the more we look into the subject of traditional herbal medicines the more I am convinced that there is urgent need for action. Like millions of other EU citizens, I am a user of herbal medicinal products. I want a guarantee that when I go into my local health food shop the echinacea or ginseng I buy is of a high quality and standard.
Sadly, in the UK at the moment you cannot guarantee that this will be the case. In front of me I have four certificates of analysis and four different types of echinacea products. The first has on its label echinacea root. However, the others simply are not good enough. One failed to comply because of excessive amounts of acid insoluble ash in the product. Another was apparently free of echinacea root altogether, and the last had not been solely manufactured from echinacea root powder as claimed on the label. This means that the next time I go and buy my echinacea, I have a 25% chance of actually purchasing what I want.
This lottery has to end. These inferior products on the market are cheating consumers and bringing herbal medicines into disrepute. However, we also require a flexible approach, especially on herbal nutrient combinations, traditional herbal medicines from outside the EU and non-herbal traditional medicines. Herbal nutrient combinations for products are not classified as medicines. Currently they may normally be legally sold as foods and that position would not change. Where these combination products are classified as medicines, currently they are not covered by the present UK regime for unlicensed herbal medicines and therefore require a marketing authorisation.
The EU proposal would offer greater flexibility than what is offered at the moment in the UK because the directive would permit the inclusion of nutrients which were non-active. Traditional medicines from outside the EU, such as Chinese medicines, will be able to satisfy the 50 year requirement. However, I agree with those in the herbal sector who would like greater flexibility in taking account of evidence from outside the EU.
The key point is that the quality and relevance of evidence of traditional use is more important than geographical origin. This directive deserves to be considered in the light of all the facts, in the interest of public health, consumer confidence and expanded choice on the market."@en1
|
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples