News (Media Awareness Project) - Ireland: Supporters Of St JohnS Wort Wake Its Demise |
| Title: | Ireland: Supporters Of St JohnS Wort Wake Its Demise |
| Published On: | 2000-01-27 |
| Source: | Examiner, The (Ireland) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-05 05:00:47 |
Supporters Of St John'S Wort Wake Its Demise
Supporters of ancient herbal remedies staged a wake in Dublin mourning the
death of the free availability of the herb St John's Wort, which can now
only be obtained on prescription.
A coffin bearing the legend St John's Wort RIP Jan 1 2000 was taken by
members of Consumers for Health Choice Ireland to the offices of the Irish
Medicine's Board in Earlsfort Terrace.
Supporters of natural medicines from all over Ireland attended the protest.
The group plan to lobby the incoming Minister for Health to change the
criteria and manner in which the Irish Medicines Board deals with natural
medicines which they say have been in use for thousands of years.
Health Minister Brian Cowen issued a directive banning over the counter
sales of St John's Wort, with the herb now only available through
pharmacies on prescription.
"We regard the ban on St John's Wort as a insult and an interference to our
right to take care of our own health in a way that works for us," said
Gabrielle McAuley of Consumers for Health Choice. Ms McAuley said they
would be seeking a meeting with the new Minister for Health as soon as
possible.
"Complementary health needs to be viewed as a different but equally valid
way of health care.
"We do not feel it is being dealt with in an appropriate fashion at this time.
"Ancient herbs which have been in use for thousands of years need to be
treated differently to new pharmaceutical products," Ms McAuley commented.
Ms McAuley said places for people with expertise in herbal, natural and
homeopathic remedies needed to be set aside on the Irish Medicines Board.
"A sub committee to oversee the regulation of complementary medicines needs
to be established," she added.
The Irish Medicines Board overseas the licensing of licensing and approval
of all human and veterinary medicines and clinical trials.
The board also advises the Minister for Health on the safety, control and
regulation of medicines generally.
Supporters of St John's Wort say it should not be limited to sale by
prescription only, and that it helps people in relation to mood balancing,
mild depression, viruses generally and nerve pain.
Supporters of ancient herbal remedies staged a wake in Dublin mourning the
death of the free availability of the herb St John's Wort, which can now
only be obtained on prescription.
A coffin bearing the legend St John's Wort RIP Jan 1 2000 was taken by
members of Consumers for Health Choice Ireland to the offices of the Irish
Medicine's Board in Earlsfort Terrace.
Supporters of natural medicines from all over Ireland attended the protest.
The group plan to lobby the incoming Minister for Health to change the
criteria and manner in which the Irish Medicines Board deals with natural
medicines which they say have been in use for thousands of years.
Health Minister Brian Cowen issued a directive banning over the counter
sales of St John's Wort, with the herb now only available through
pharmacies on prescription.
"We regard the ban on St John's Wort as a insult and an interference to our
right to take care of our own health in a way that works for us," said
Gabrielle McAuley of Consumers for Health Choice. Ms McAuley said they
would be seeking a meeting with the new Minister for Health as soon as
possible.
"Complementary health needs to be viewed as a different but equally valid
way of health care.
"We do not feel it is being dealt with in an appropriate fashion at this time.
"Ancient herbs which have been in use for thousands of years need to be
treated differently to new pharmaceutical products," Ms McAuley commented.
Ms McAuley said places for people with expertise in herbal, natural and
homeopathic remedies needed to be set aside on the Irish Medicines Board.
"A sub committee to oversee the regulation of complementary medicines needs
to be established," she added.
The Irish Medicines Board overseas the licensing of licensing and approval
of all human and veterinary medicines and clinical trials.
The board also advises the Minister for Health on the safety, control and
regulation of medicines generally.
Supporters of St John's Wort say it should not be limited to sale by
prescription only, and that it helps people in relation to mood balancing,
mild depression, viruses generally and nerve pain.
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