6.25.2007

New FDA rules for herbal preparations, practitioners

The final rule on good manufacturing practices for herbal / nutritional supplements just got handed down this weekend. While it leaves some leeway for self-regulation, it does mandate some very difficult requirements, especially for practitioners who are essentially "manufacturing" a product each time they blend a tincture. These rules have been a long time coming, and will be phased in for small companies by 2011...
We need to dissect the full document and consider it with the advancing Traditional Medicines Congress (and its opposition) in an attempt to understand the very real changes herbalism will face in the coming years. Let's stay informed and keep our voices heard.

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