Crackdown on illegal practice urged

The Federal National Council yesterday asked the government to crack down on unauthorised sale and practice of herbal medicine.

Raising the issue Mohammed Hamdan bin Khadim sought the attention of the health minister towards media advertisements regarding herbal centres and promotion of herbal medicines.

He said the advertisements gloated over the types of cures available to a variety of ailments and warned that it was a dangerous trend. He sought stricter control on media advertisements.

In reply, Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Madfa, Minister of Health, said the Zayed Complex for Herbal Research and Traditional Medicine was established to offer specialised herbal medicine treatment and carry out research.

He said studies that are conducted by the centre have proven to be of great value as they are conducted in cooperation with international experts. A federal law was passed in 1995 to regulate the sale and use of herbal medicines.

"Registration and selling of these medicines was also regularised."

On the selling of herbs, Al Madfa said a committee has been formed which oversees the selling of herbal medicines.