Herbal remedies banned as new EU rules take effect

Manufacturers and herbal practitioners say strict guidelines aimed at improving safety could force them out of businessNew EU rules came into force at the weekend banning hundreds of herbal remedies. The laws are aimed at protecting consumers from potentially damaging "traditional" medicines.Under the directive, herbal medicines will now have to be registered. Products must meet safety, quality and manufacturing standards, and come with information outlining possible side-effects.Herbal practitioners and manufacturers say they fear the new rules could force them out of business.Research conducted for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2009 showed that 26% of adults in the UK had taken a herbal medicine in the last two years, mostly bought over the counter in

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