Herbal Medicine Chaos in the Marketplace

Americans seeking herbal medicines now face confusion and even danger. There is great potential for these medicines to improve the health of consumers--if current regulations can be revised!Herbal Medicine: Chaos in the Marketplace is a prize-winning critique of the regulation and business of herbal medicine in the United States. It is the first book that examines the big picture issues-it tells the story of how the present situation developed, looks at what it means for consumers, compares approaches taken in other industrialized countries, and recommends where we need to go from here. Convenient reference tables provide easy access to information.Concerns about herbal medicines are hitting the headlines regularly, yet no other book has examined the core issues in depth from a public health perspective. Herbal Medicine: Chaos in the Marketplace fills that gap. It is highly relevant today, and you’ll find it will continue to be indispensable reading for years to come as the situation plays out.This balanced, unique, and insightful volume will add to your knowledge of herbal medicine regulation and its impact on consumer health by: framing the limitations of the current situation with brief examples reviewing the regulatory history of herbal medicines in the United States placing the situation in an international context by also examining regulations in Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom illustrating the practical implications of U.S. regulations with six examples that demonstrate how herbal medicines could contribute more to consumer health--and the public health risks associated with the current regulatory situation analyzing the public health issues related to safety, research, clinical practice, consumer interests, business, media, and federal government offering key, high-impact recommendations for future policyConsumers, health care professionals, business people in the domestic and foreign herb industries, researchers, health plan executives, food and drug attorneys and policymakers, as well as educators and students, will all find this book essential to their understanding of the workings of the herbal medicine industry. Visit the author’s website at http://www.herbalchaos.com

Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Introduction Chapter 1. Overview The Dilemma Purpose of This Book Part II. Review of Regulations Chapter 2. United States History of Regulation of Botanicals Current Legal Classification of Botanicals Current Regulation and Surveillance of Botanicals Chapter 3. Canada Legal Classification Proof of Safety and Efficacy Manufacturing Standards Labeling, Advertising, Distribution, and Retail Sale Postmarket Safety and Surveillance Chapter 4. Germany Legal Classification Proof of Safety and Efficacy Manufacturing Standards Labeling, Advertising, Distribution, and Retail Sale Postmarket Safety and Surveillance Chapter 5. France Legal Classification Proof of Safety and Efficacy Manufacturing Standards Labeling, Advertising, Distribution, and Retail Sale Postmarket Safety and Surveillance Chapter 6. United Kingdom Legal Classification Proof of Safety and Efficacy Manufacturing Standards Labeling, Advertising, Distribution, and Retail Sale Postmarket Safety and Surveillance Chapter 7. Summary of International Regulatory Review Part III. Illustrative Examples Chapter 8. Examples with Potential Public Health Benefits St. John’s Wort and Moderate Depression Ginkgo and Alzheimer’s Disease Echinacea and the Common Cold Chapter 9. Examples That Present Public Health Risks Ephedra Adulteration Case Report Comfrey Part IV. Analysis of Current and Potential Impact on Public Health Chapter 10. Safety Absence of Premarket Approval Postmarket Surveillance Chapter 11. Research Patent Protection Product-Specific Research by Manufacturers Government Research Funding Epidemiological Research Chapter 12. Clinical Practice, Managed Care, and Health Insurance Education of Medical Professionals Coordination of Treatment Access to Botanical Treatment Opportunities for Cost Savings Chapter 13. Consumer Interests Consumers As a Political Force Sorting Through the Morass Chapter 14. The Role of Business, Media, and the Government The Role of Business and Marketing The Role of Media The Role of the Federal Government Part V. Conclusion Chapter 15. Summary and Recommendations Summary of Findings Recommendations Appendix A. U.S. Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 Appendix B. Recommendations of the Canadian Standing Committee on Health Appendix C. Abbreviations and Acronyms Notes Index