PUT HERBAL CURE BACK ON SHELF

THE traditional herbal remedy St John’s Wort is being classified as a
prescription only medicine in Ireland from next January. The Irish
Medicines Board has not given an explanation for this decision to health
industry organisations or the many thousands of consumers who use this herb
daily.

It has been rumoured that the decision has been taken because of possible
interactions between St John’s Wort and certain foods or medicines. If this
is the case, what evidence does the IMB possess?

If the IMB has indeed recently become a world authority on the safety of
herb, and they publish compelling reasons for their decision, it stands to
reason that the FDA in America and the MCA in the UK will review their
evidence and follow suit.

Of course this will not happen as most countries have reviewed the data on
St John’s Wort and have correctly decided that it is a safe, effective herb
which should be allowed on free sale.

If this is the case, then why has this action been taken? Only the IMB know
this, but it would not be unreasonable to think they have capitulated to
demands of pharmaceutical companies which want to control the growing
market for natural products. This has serious implications for our right to
use natural remedies for health promotion and disease promotion.

If you care about the future of natural remedies and your right to use safe
alternatives to drugs to promote better health for yourself and your
family, you need to act now.

Visit your nearest health store and sign the petition to maintain freedom
of choice.

In a similar battle in the UK last year on vitamin B6, people power won the
day and the decision was reversed.

John Philpott,
30 Woodlands,
Frankfield,
Cork.