BANNED HERB IS SAFE, SAYS BRITAIN

CALLS for a reversal of the decision to axe over the counter sales of St
John's Wort have escalated following a ruling in Britain that the herb did
not pose a major health risk.

The Medicine Control Agency in England has reviewed all evidence
surrounding the popular herbal anti depressant and says it should be kept
on open sale.

Campaigners on this side of the water are now calling on medical
authorities to do the same but an Irish Medicines Board spokesman said it
would not review its decision to restrict sales because the move was taken
on sound medical advice.

Fears were raised last week that the herb posed a health risk if mixed with
certain drugs but the Health Products Alliance -- which represents Irish
herbalists -- said this was an issue for the drug companies to sort out.

``Herbs have been used for thousands of years and are the primary system
of healthcare for 85% of the world's population,'' said alliance
spokeswoman Erica Murray.

The British medical authorities said the decision to keep St. John's Wort
on open sale was to maintain a balanced approach to public safety.

The Medicine Control Agency is currently examining the option of labelling
some herbal products with a health warning.

The Health Products Alliance said the labelling option was the best safety
measure to take here, however this had been refused.

``Warnings to patients not to take herbs with certain drugs should be
routine practice for the prescribing doctor and is the obvious way around
the situation,'' Ms Murray said.

The alliance said it was calling on the Health Minister to examine the
ruling in Britain.