FDA gets aggressive towards homeopathic drugs
Washington : The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposal to keep a check on homeopathic medicines which have been in use for a long time as mainstream medicine.
The agency will be focusing themselves on the products which pose biggest safety risks, including those marketed for children or for serious diseases.
As per government framework, the low risk products will remain in the market. Popular homeopathic brands include Zicam Allergy Relief and Cold-Eeze.
Earlier, scientists have claimed that Homeopathic medicines contain heavily diluted drugs, vitamins and minerals.
“People may be putting their trust and money in therapies that bring little or no benefit in combating their ailments, or worse — in products that may cause serious and even irreparable harm,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Monday on a call with reporters.
As per FDA figures, the homeopathy products in the markets have made it a $3 billion industry.
A handful of products in recent years have been subject to major safety problems, usually involving potentially toxic ingredients.
Last year, teething tablets have come under radar showing major side-effects, some leading to deaths of infants. FDA testing later confirmed the products contained high levels of belladonna, also called nightshade, a poisonous herb that has long been used at low dosages in homeopathic medicine. The products were recalled in April.
