Canada's Health Food Association (CHFA) has called the national ban
on the sale of kava products 'completely unacceptable', and urged
the health department to follow the cautionary labelling practice
of the US.
A medical expert has said that the recent calls to review the
herbal supplement ephedra are "unfounded". Dr Steven Karch claimed
that the health reports logged by Metabolife contain 'insubstantial
information'.
US researchers are developing a marijuana-derived synthetic
compound to relieve pain and inflammation without the mood-altering
side-effects associated with other marijuana-based drugs.
Scientists believe that the drug could eventually...
BSP Pharma, a joint venture between Aarhus Oliefabrik and
pharmaceutical company Astion, has reported strong results in
pre-clinical trials on its shea nut oil-based treatments.
A clinical trial featuring Menotab, the herbal formula produced by
Himalaya USA, has shown that the product can help alleviate the
symptoms of the menopause, good news for women in the light of
recent revelations about the dangers...
A new website, AskAboutMeds.com, has been set up to provide
accurate, unbiased and, above all, useful information to the public
and professionals about drugs and supplements.
BotanicLab, already facing censure over its PC-SPES supplements,
sees seven more herbal products withdrawn from sale in Canada for
containing undeclared drugs.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has clamped down on the
sale of nicotine lollipops via pharmacies and the Internet, warning
that the products could easily be consumed by children.
Australian research company Prana Biotechnology has revealed
successful interim results of its Alzheimer's drug PBT-1,
Iodochlorhydroxyquin at the 7th International Geneva/Springfield
Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy...
Nutraceutix, the pharmaceutical group which recently signed a
licensing agreement with the giant agrifood group ADM, has reported
disappointing results for the final quarter of 2001.
The active ingredients of St John's wort, a herb commonly used to
treat mild depression, are in doubt after US research revealed that
one of them is contained in such small quantities in some brands of
the drug that it is ineffective.
Safety fears over Chinese herbal medicines increased this week
after potentially toxic substances were found in a slimming remedy
sold in the UK. Two people had to be treated for severe
side-effects after taking a cocktail of remedies.
Research suggesting that teenagers who use herbal products are more
likely to go on to use drugs such as cigarettes, alcohol and
narcotics has met with an angry response from the herbal products
industry.
A major new survey of supplement users in the US carried out by
ConsumerLab.com has highlighted some interesting facts - not least
that many supplement users are afraid of the safety and possible
side effects of prescription drug...
Swiss drug giant Novartis has reported sales of SFr32 billion
(€21.7bn) for 2001, a 14 per cent increase on the previous year.
The company said that sales of its principal pharmaceutical
products were the main drivers of the growth.
The popular herbal remedy St. John's wort has led to at least two
unwanted pregnancies in Sweden because of its ability to override
the effects of the pill.
A German committee that issues advice on prescription drugs has
recommended that the government make kava, the popular herbal
remedy, a prescription-only product.
Medical officials in Thailand have found dangerous levels of
arsenic in popular herbal remedies used to treat nausea and
fainting symptoms, The Nation newspaper in Bangkok reported.
One in six American adults uses herbal products or other natural
supplements in addition to prescription drugs, raising concerns
about possible adverse interactions.
A recent survey by the National Consumers League (NCL) in the US
shows that 75% of Americans believe that products labelled
'natural' should contain at least 90% or more natural ingredients
and that 86% of those questioned...
Nutraceutix, an early stage biopharmaceutical company, has engaged
investor relations and strategic planning company Bibicoff &
Associates to increase investment community awareness of the
company.