Unregistered herbal ‘medicine’:

Ban on way

Chaminda Perera

The Health Ministry yesterday decided to ban all types of unregistered herbal medicines that are available in the market on the directive of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena. Most of these medicines are advertised in newspapers. The health authorities are not aware of their composition, efficacy and after effects.

This decision was arrived at a meeting with the officials of National Drug and Cosmetic Devices Authority at the Ministry premises yesterday. The Authority pointed out that the Act under which the Authority was formed does not have provisions to deal with such products.

According to a Ministry spokesman, a number of such items have already been sent to Ayurvedic Medicinal Laboratory in Navinna as they carry a herbal medicine tag.

He said no trader or organization can persuade the public to purchase any medicinal item if it does not have therapeutic claim. He said that all medicinal items should be registered with the authority if it is specified for a disease in advertisements.

He pointed out some organizations are carrying various advertisements of medicinal items specifying the diseases they answer but these medicinal items have not been registered with the Authority. The Minister added that necessary provisions would be added to the Act to deal with traders selling such unregistered herbal medicines soon.