GMP and the concerned brother in law
Article by Angela Haldane
Hi Ange,
Firstly, like all Aucklanders I have been a massive fan of yours for years. I bought a bottle of your magic juice (never having tried it) and sent it to a friend in the UK who swore it gave him the best nights sleep he had had in years.
So I bought an industrial size bottle before I left NZ last week to top him up (I live in Amsterdam).
But horror of horrors his brother in law turns out to be some pharmaceutical big wig and expressed concerns about the regulation of naturopathic medicines.
Now my friend won't touch the stuff and says you have no way of knowing what actually goes into it if it's not regulated and it may actually be bad for you. I have had rather heated discussions about the ingredients being all natural and good for you, but unfortunately telling him the last big bottle was mixed up while I waited added weight to his argument.
No one in NZ would worry but it seems the Brits are more circumspect. Can you give me anything reassuring to pass on?
best regards
Hi ...
The herbal medicines are bought from Phytomed Medicinal Herbs Ltd which are made under the strict guidelines of pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), the code of practice adhered to by the global pharmaceutical industry. Phytomed in fact holds current GMP certificates from both Medsafe the NZ regulator, as well as the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) in Australia. Australia has in fact had GMP certification as a requirement for herbal medicine manufacturers for nearly 20 years, much longer than has been required by the equivalent regulator (MHRA) for British manufacturers (only the past 1-2 years, and still not being very well enforced). As such, a TGA GMP certificate is internationally regarded as the most robust in the world.
At Phytomed all herbal plants are identified by a PhD botanist using validated methods so it is confirmed that it is the right species. Also that foreign matter and adulterants are absent.
I am a registered medical herbalist who has been trained how to prescribe herbal medicine and dispense. Along with all the medical science subjects too.
We have a dispensary, just like any pharmacist out the back. There is nothing wrong with making it up on the spot, in the dispensary – just like a pharmacist can. It is a dispensary and not a garden shed! Considering that the herbal medicines are certified under Good Manufacturing Practice
So we do know exactly what goes into it, the General Manager of Phytomed is a Pharmacist and a medical herbalist. Medical herbalists are well aware of the risk of adulteration to products and this is why Phytomed are so stringent in their production and adherence to the code of GMP.
It is not bad for you, chamomile, californian poppy, passionflower and a small amount of licorice for flavour have been used for many years with out causing harm...unlike some pharmaceutical drugs!!!
thanks for your support
cheers
Ange