Planta Medica International Open 2017; 4(S 01): S1-S202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608322
Lecture Session – WHO Strategy Session
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Global principles for better herbal products -a way to best serving patients and consumers

S Canigueral
1   University of Barcelona, Institute for Pharmacy, Unitat de Farmacologia i Far-macognòsia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Barcelona, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)

 

Despite growing demand, there are yet no globally accepted standards governing herbal products. On the one hand, this can led to questions in health professionals, patients and consumers. On the other hand, this has led to a great heterogeneity of regulatory approaches, which makes the development and manufacturing of herbal products difficult and complex. Before this background, it is important reconcile on key principles, which are the basis of successful serving the needs all stakeholders. These need to cover quality, safety, efficacy, sustainability, and access and benefit sharing. By focusing our efforts in these key areas, we are establishing a foundation for global standards supporting future success in the herbal products area:

Quality is inextricably linked to efficacy and safety. Good Agricultural Collection Practices are essentials for the success of herbal products.

Safety is based on multiple factors, which need to be regularly updated according to scientific progress. These include an appropriate quality control, toxicological proof, an effective pharmacovigilance system, as well as sound information to health care professionals, patients and consumers.

Efficacy of herbal products is relying on long-standing use and therapeutic experience.

Sustainability is the basis for long-term success of herbal products, and precondition is responsible sourcing respecting the natural habitat and sustainable cultivation methods, for being able to meet supply needs also in the future.

Fair access and benefit sharing helps to establish and maintain fair and sustainable collaboration with all stakeholders. Frame is the Nagoya Protocol, which needs now to find its way to daily practice in the development of herbal products.

The focus on these key areas will establish a foundation that can be the basis of the future global success in the field of herbal products, both from the manufacturers as from the patients and consumers point of view.