Journal of Ethnopharmacology 158 (2014) 448
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Journal of Ethnopharmacology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jep
Editorial
Regulation of Herbal Medicines
Medicinal plants have been used in therapy in all parts of the world since ancient times. Regulation of herbal medicines in a legal environment was introduced in the 20th century. The overall objective is safeguarding public health by assuring quality, efficacy and safety. Irrespective of benefits there are also problems associated with regulation of herbal medicines: (i) The definition of requirements which have to be fulfilled by herbal medicines is usually associated with a decrease of the number of products available. (ii) Legislation is often focused on medicinal products. Even if particulars of herbal medicines are considered, the therapeutic environment is often neglected. (iii) Regulation, classification and definitions of herbal medicines have evolved at regional and national levels. In times of globalization of herbal and traditional medicines regional concepts are generally not suitable to realize an adequate global availability. This special issue “Herbal Medicines Regulation” is based on contributions presented at the international symposium
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.037 0378-8741/& 2014 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
TradReg2013. Selected articles are giving insight in currently existing regulatory frameworks in different continents, the system established in the European Union is explained in more detail. The different perspectives are completed by views from academia and industry. This special issue shall stimulate a worldwide discussion between science and regulation. Only a dialog can support development of adequate requirements on herbal medicines and set the environment for adequate research in this field. Availability of traditional medicines should be improved by striving for best practice solutions with respect to definitions, classification and evaluation of herbal and traditional medicines. I would especially like to thank all authors for their contributions and Prof. Dr. Ioanna Chinou (Athens, Greece) and Dr. Jacqueline Wiesner (Bonn, Germany) for their highly valuable support as co-guest-editors.
Guest Editor Werner Knöss Germany
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Journal of Ethnopharmacology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jep
Editorial
Regulation of Herbal Medicines
Medicinal plants have been used in therapy in all parts of the world since ancient times. Regulation of herbal medicines in a legal environment was introduced in the 20th century. The overall objective is safeguarding public health by assuring quality, efficacy and safety. Irrespective of benefits there are also problems associated with regulation of herbal medicines: (i) The definition of requirements which have to be fulfilled by herbal medicines is usually associated with a decrease of the number of products available. (ii) Legislation is often focused on medicinal products. Even if particulars of herbal medicines are considered, the therapeutic environment is often neglected. (iii) Regulation, classification and definitions of herbal medicines have evolved at regional and national levels. In times of globalization of herbal and traditional medicines regional concepts are generally not suitable to realize an adequate global availability. This special issue “Herbal Medicines Regulation” is based on contributions presented at the international symposium
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.037 0378-8741/& 2014 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
TradReg2013. Selected articles are giving insight in currently existing regulatory frameworks in different continents, the system established in the European Union is explained in more detail. The different perspectives are completed by views from academia and industry. This special issue shall stimulate a worldwide discussion between science and regulation. Only a dialog can support development of adequate requirements on herbal medicines and set the environment for adequate research in this field. Availability of traditional medicines should be improved by striving for best practice solutions with respect to definitions, classification and evaluation of herbal and traditional medicines. I would especially like to thank all authors for their contributions and Prof. Dr. Ioanna Chinou (Athens, Greece) and Dr. Jacqueline Wiesner (Bonn, Germany) for their highly valuable support as co-guest-editors.
Guest Editor Werner Knöss Germany
