Sir – I should like to make your readers aware of an imminent change in the law regarding the use of herbs and similar products for the treatment of medical conditions.
From next April, many herbs will become unavailable except by prescription from a GP or a medical professional — but not by prescription from a trained and qualified herbalist! In order to stamp out rogue or self-styled herbalists, the EU is introducing this change to prevent unsuspecting patients being given a wrong prescription, since some herbs can have strong negative as well as positive effects.
The tragedy of this situation is that those who know most about herbs, the herbalists, will no longer be able to continue their practice, and herbal manufacturers will face bankruptcy as their customers, the herbalists, cannot use their products.
The proper solution to this is to register herbalists in the same way as doctors and pharmacists. There is a campaign to urge the Government to do this, with great urgency in view of the timescale.
The matter will be discussed at a public meeting in the Town Hall on Tuesday, November 30, at 7.30pm, and all those who care should make the effort to go.
Ken Weavers, Headington
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