Citation
(2002), "Databank. Concern over Chinese medicines", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 32 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2002.01732baf.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
Databank. Concern over Chinese medicines
Databank
Concern over Chinese medicines
The Medicine Control Agency (MCA) has called upon the UK traditional Chinese medicines to improve their quality and safety standards. The MCA continues to find potentially dangerous and illegal ingredients in Chinese medicines. For example, aristolochia was found in several dozen compounds and this substance was associated with two cases of renal failure and is also known to cause cancer. Mercury and arsenic were also found in Chinese medicines. Many people value herbal remedies but they should always be aware of the possibility of them containing low quality or illegal ingredients which could be potentially dangerous. People should not take them if they are not labelled and include a list of ingredients written in English. If people have suffered an adverse reaction which they think may be due to the Chinese medicine they should seek advice from their GP, local pharmacist or NHS Direct. The MCA has produced guidance: Traditional Ethnic Medicines, Public Health and Compliance with Medicine Law. This is on the MCA Web site as www.mca.gov.uk.