From 23 February 2024 to 5 April 2024, the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) is undertaking a targeted consultation to seek the opinions of interested parties on a draft guidance document for healthcare professionals and a draft leaflet for patients/consumers focusing on herbal food supplements.
The consultation targets international organisations active in public health, healthcare professionals, patients, the pharmaceutical industry and academia.
The draft guidance for healthcare professionals addresses different aspects regarding herbal food supplements (e.g. legislation, scientific evidence, possible questions to be asked to patients/consumers) and aims to provide guidance to healthcare professionals on counselling patients/consumers in relation to herbal food supplements in order to avoid incorrect use and potential health risks associated with these products.
The draft leaflet for patients/consumers consists of different questions related to herbal food supplements (e.g. regulation of herbal food supplements in Europe, differences between medicines and herbal food supplements, risks associated with these products) and aims to provide patients/consumers with the necessary knowledge and understanding of these products with a view to ensuring that they are used in a safe and appropriate manner.
This consultation is a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to express their views and for the EDQM to receive input for the finalisation of the above documents.
For any enquiries related to the consultation process or the draft documents, please contact [email protected]
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