Concerns about a lack of scrutiny put on the safety of herbal medicines have been raised in a television program that aired last night.
The ABC's 7.30 Report has thrust complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) back into the spotlight, raising the question of whether enough safety checks are undertaken before such products are marketed.
The program questioned the stringency of the regulatory regime for CAMs but also asked whether consumers were adequately informed about possible side effects of CAMs and their interactions with conventional drugs.
John Baxter from the National Herbalists Association told the program that CAMs were "subject to scrutiny for claims on the packets" but, when pressed by reporter Tracy Bowden, admitted that they were not scrutinised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to the same degree that prescription drugs were.
"There's great necessity to educate people about the potential dangers of mixing herbs and drugs because herbs are therapeutic agents and they can affect the way the body metabolises drugs," he told the program.
"It can enhance a drug's action or it can reduce a drug's action."
The program featured a case of a woman who developed toxic liver failure after taking black cohosh for menopause.
"The TGA regimen for listing these products does not adequately protect consumers," Professor John Dwyer, a clinical immunologist at the University of New South Wales, told the program.
"We need the TGA to be resourced by Government to check the veracity or otherwise of the therapeutic claims made for these products."
Australian Self-Medication Industry (ASMI), however, has backed the degree of CAM regulation in Australia.
"Australia has one of the most comprehensive regulatory arrangements in the world for complementary medicines," ASMI regulatory and technical manager for complementary medicines Ruth Kendon said.
"The Therapeutic Goods Administration… has an outstanding reputation for ensuring quality and safety including quality materials."
She said most CAMs did have scientific data supporting their safety.