Herbal remedies

Question 1

What are herbal products (5)

Answer 1

1. Herbal products
2. and some vitamins
3. and minerals
4. may be referred to as ‘alternative’ medicines or food supplements
5. because they have not undergone the rigorous testing that conventional licensed medicines go through.

Question 2

How are herbal products released for sale (2)

Answer 2

1. either to be registered as conventional medicines (i.e. a GSL, P or POM)
2. or be registered under the Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration Scheme (THR) for them to be sold to the public.

Question 3

How are herbal products registered under the THR (5)

Answer 3

1. the quality and safety of the herbal product needs to be shown but the manufacturer does not have to prove it will work for the condition it claims to ease or treat.
2. The aim of this regulation is to standardise the herbal medicines market.
3. The legislation does not apply to all alternative products.
4. There are a number of exemptions and some products can continue to be sold as food supplements.
5. All herbal medicine stock obtained in your pharmacy must be registered under the THR Scheme.

Question 4

How do you check if a herbal product is registered (3)

Answer 4

1. checking whether the container or packaging displays a registration number beginning with the letters THR, followed by numbers.
2. This is a requirement for any product registered under the THR.
3. Manufacturers can also apply for a THR Certificate Mark (a specific logo) to display on the packaging or the PIL, though this is not mandatory.