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Centre for Scientific Research into plant medicine does not license sale of herbal products-official
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- Created on Wednesday, 28 September 2011 00:00
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Centre for Scientific Research into plant medicine does not license sale of herbal products-official
Authorities of the Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine have explained that, the Centre does not give license for traditional medicines to be sold.Rather authorities of the Centre say it only does scientific analysis to establish the efficacy, quality and safety of herbal medicines; thereby a Traditional Medicine Practitioner would need the license of the Food and Drugs Board (FDB) before selling his/her products to members of the public.
The Head of Public Affairs at Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine Mr. Osarfo Mensah told Asempa News’ Yaa Asantewaa that, many Herbalists have little idea the processes herbal medicine go through before it can be sold.
According to him, FBD will have to further investigate about how the herbs are collected, hygiene of premises of manufacturing, diseases indicated among others before giving the license for the herbal products to be sold.
Recently there have been instances where a combined taskforce from the Food and Drugs Board and the Police have stormed premises of some traditional medicine practitioners to seize unlicensed products.
However the herbalists have most of the time defended themselves with the excuse that, their products have been certified by the Mampong Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine.
A typical example is “the Republic vrs Semanhyia” which is still pending at the law courts after some ‘Semanhyia’ products were seized.
After the seizure, Madam Adwoa Semanhyia indicated that all her products have been certified by the Centre, while FDB insisted it has the final say with regards to registration and licensing of herbal products.
Mr. Osarfo Mensah has rebutted saying, one cannot hide behind the Centre’s certification and sell herbal products without prior approval and license from the FDB.
He chided unscrupulous traditional medicine practitioners who deceive the public by adding some orthodox medicine to their herbal preparations.
Mr. Osarfo Mensah told Asempa News that, there are times when some herbal preparations meant to cure typhoid are mixed with ‘chrolanphinicol’ which makes the medicine contaminated or unsafe.
He explained that it becomes unsafe because the dosage for herbal medicine is not as accurate as orthodox medicine hence a consumer may take it in over dose.
Mr. Osarfo Mensah also advised traditional herbal practitioners on the best way to prepare herbal medicine saying “an excellent Traditional Medicine Practitioner should not go for herbs by the road since fumes from vehicles which splash on the herbs contain carbonated substances which are not good for the human body.
“If do that you complicate your clients’ conditions, the best way is to go to the forest and harvest your herbs for treatment”.
Source: Yaa Asantewaa/Asempa FM/Ghana
