26 September 2006
Contrary to the report in various Independent Newspaper titles, the
Department of Health is making efforts to regulate complementary medicines.
The Medicines Control Council (MCC), which is charged with regulating
medicines in the country, called for producers of complementary medicines to
submit their products. At least 20 000 products were received. Of these, 14 000
have been assessed to establish their contents.
Progress is also being made in establishing a regulatory framework for the
evaluation and registration of these medicines. The draft regulations were
developed and published for public comment. The draft regulations are now being
reviewed, taking into consideration the comments that have been received. They
will soon be considered by the legal unit of the Department of Health, before
being submitted to the Minister of Health. The regulations will enable the MCC
to ensure that all complementary medicines marketed in or approved for
marketing in South Africa would have to meet the required quality, safety and
efficacy standards and would be of benefit to the public.
A complementary medicine committee has been established within the MCC and
it is currently developing guidelines for registration and regulation of
complementary medicines.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
26 September 2006
