60 Percent of Pregnant Women use Herbal Products but are They Safe Almost 60% of women use at least one herbal product during pregnancy, research launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester has revealed. In the first UK study of its kind, pharmacy researchers from the University of East Anglia found that despite the popularity of herbal products, almost half (49%) of the pregnant women were uncertain about the safety of the preparations and took them on the recommendation of family or friends rather than a healthcare professional. Unlike prescription drugs, most herbal products do not have to currently be tested for quality, safety and efficacy(1). As a result, the quality and strength of herbal products can vary. This can lead to varying safety end efficacy. In addition, reliable information about the product may be hard to find, which can also lead to questions on safety and effectiveness. According to the findings, women were more likely to use herbal products if they were aged over 40 (72%). Compared to similar studies done in Norway, the USA and Australia, researchers also found the extent to which herbal products are used in the UK was significantly higher. In a separate study, University of Manchester pharmacy researchers found that while pregnant women often went to community pharmacies, most did not actively seek advice from pharmacists about the most appropriate course of action for self-care in pregnancy. University of Manchester pharmacy researcher, Dr Lorna Tuersley said: "The women in our study didn't always recognise that their local community pharmacist is a significant resource for health information. ''When they did seek advice from the pharmacist it related largely to practicalities and side effects for products they had already selected often on the basis of lay advice. There are risks and potential dangers related to all kinds of medicines and remedies and, as it is not always obvious to staff that a woman may be pregnant, it is imperative that pregnant women ensure they are well informed before taking anything.'' Notes to editors About the British Pharmaceutical Conference 2008 (BPC) BPC 2008: Pharmacy in the 21st Century: Adding years to life and life to years. In 2008, as the NHS marks its 60th anniversary year, BPC will examine how pharmacy and the pharmaceutical services are helping to add years to life and life to the year of the UK population. The profession of pharmacy plays an important role in meeting the healthcare challenges associated with the UK's ageing population. How can pharmacists contribute to caring for the population as well as ensuring quality of life? Increasingly, scientists and practitioners have to consider the cost implications of this conundrum, and the evidence base for all interventions is becoming of paramount importance: BPC 2008 will debate these issues and open up discussion on them. Visit: http://www.bpc2008.org/ The main sponsors of BPC 2008 are: Boots The Chemists (Lead Sponsor), AstraZeneca (Associate Sponsor and BPC-PJ Careers Forum Platinum Sponsor), Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) (Associate Sponsor) and GSK (BPC-PJ Careers Forum Platinum Sponsor). Research released at BPC is published in the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice (IJPP). References
(1) Manufactured herbal medicines placed on the UK market are required to have either a Traditional Herbal registration (THR) or a Marketing Authorisation (MA). There is one principal exception in relation to herbal medicinal products. Where a manufactured herbal remedy meets both the following requirements: - it is legally on the UK market as an unlicensed herbal remedy in accordance with s12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968 and - it was also legally on the UK market under s12(2) at 30 April 2004 It can continue to be marketed as an unlicensed herbal remedy until 30 April 2011 provided it continues to comply with the requirements of s12(2). Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and British Pharmaceutical Conference