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Oz CM's high quality – ASMI

The Australian Self Medication Industry has reassured consumers that they can have confidence in the quality and safety of complementary medicines (herbal medicines, nutritional and dietary supplements) that are legally sold in Australia.

The statement was a response to a study recently published in BMC Medicine identifying some herbal medicines available in North America that contain ingredients that could pose health risks. "Two-thirds of all Australians use complementary medicines regularly to optimise their health and wellbeing and to address a range of chronic conditions, with popular examples being fish oil, St John's Wort and glucosamine," said ASMI Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Director, Steve Scarff. "Consumers can be assured that the Australian complementary medicines industry is one of the most tightly regulated in the world, with all products subject to stringent regulations relative to their risk profile," he said. "Unlike many other countries in the world, Australia ensures that complementary medicines are manufactured safely and only contain approved, safe ingredients."

Scarff went on to explain that Australia has a two-tiered system for the regulation of medicines, including complementary medicines. Prior to sale, supply or use, higher risk medicines must be 'Registered' on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which involves individually evaluating the quality, safety and effectiveness of the product. Lower risk medicines containing pre-approved, low-risk ingredients and that make limited claims can be 'Listed' on the ARTG. "When a consumer purchases any approved complementary medicine in Australia, they can have confidence that the ingredients listed on the label are, without doubt, contained in the product."

Unfortunately, it's a very different picture in many other countries. "This is why Australians are advised not to order medicines, including dietary supplements and herbal preparations, over the internet unless they know exactly what is in the preparation and have checked the legal requirements for importation and use in Australia." Unlike in Australia, there are currently no legal standards for authentication of herbal products in the United States, which has contributed to an environment of unethical activities, ASMI said.

Source: pharamacydaily.com.au, Wednesday 16 October 2013