NEED TO FAST-TRACK REGULATIONS
THE need for appropriate regulations for complementary medicine to be put in place by the Department of Health has never been more apparent. As you will see from many of the stories in this 7th edition of your HPA Headlines, concerns around claims, taking liberties with advertising and marketing material as well as complaints about substances are increasing. Which is why the establishment of a self-monitoring body by the HPA is timely – as is the appointment of an executive director to bolster the credibility and professional standing of the industry. (See stories below.)

The absence of a regulatory structure from government within which CAMS can function not only creates loopholes for what HPA chairman Dr Alan Tomlinson has described as industry “cowboys” but provides the popular media with an opportunity to attack what’s being depicted as “hundreds of illegal and unsafe products”.

Dr Tomlinson expressed concern about articles that recently received prominence in two major daily papers. “They sensationalised the situation and gave readers the impression that they were in danger when using our medicines and products. This is not true. The substances we use are generally safe and have a long track record to substantiate this, and anyone on any kind of medication, following everydayhealth.com or otherwise should have access to them.

“While there might be a few ‘illegal’ medicines making claims that they’re not entitled to, our self-regulatory programme is now addressing these problems and cleaning things up.”

The HPA is also appealing to editors of publications to view with caution any advertising material that contains medical claims.

Dr Tomlinson added that the HPA was continuing to work closely with the Department of Health and the Advertising Standards Authority – and made good progress at a recent meeting with the Complementary Medicines Committee of the Medicines Control Council.

HPA SETS UP INDUSTRY WATCHDOG

GOOD progress has been made with the HPA’s plan to set up a CAM’s (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) industry watchdog. A small, proactive committee that will be known as the HPA Self Monitoring Technical Committee (SMTC) has been drawn from among the Association’s EXCO members – and Solgar’s Denise Maidment is in the chair.

Alongside her are Andrew Butler, Mathi Kona and Celecia Roos with Deirdre Allen as secretary. The SMTC already has a list of technical experts to be drawn as consultants when needed, as well as laboratories that may be required for assays.

“We will meet on a regular basis to process complaints from the market place and give advice on advertising and promotional material,” Denise said. “We will evaluate products according to substances, indications and claims but not efficacy or quality issues.”

Strict procedures will be applied to complaints, regardless of whether they come from one HPA member against another or a non-member company questioning claims and statements on labels and adverts as well as concern about substances.

“When it comes to substance, we will refer to the lists already developed by the Broad Based Reference Groups acting under the authority of the Complementary Medicines Council of the MCC,” she added.

Denise anticipates a range of complaints from the simple, such as a medicinal claim for a nutritional supplement - which is irresponsible advertising and can be corrected by changing a few words on labels and adverts – to more complex issues such as new substances on the market that have not yet been tested for safety and validity.

“If a complaint goes beyond our mandate, then we refer it for expert opinion,” she said. “If there is non-compliance with our counsel, we will pass the matter on to agencies such as the ASA, MRA and law enforcement bodies. They have indicated full support for our self-monitoring initiative.

“I must stress that this is not a witch-hunt – and the SMTC should not be used for that purpose,” she added. “We want to enhance the credibility of the industry so that consumers know our products are safe and above board.”

Deirdre Allen reports that the SMTC has already received over 10 complaints. “We’ve had a lot of co-operation and my sense is that most problems stem from ignorance; people want to comply – and the SMTC can help them do so.”

• Complaint forms are available from the HPA, and the next meeting at which complaints will be discussed is on 23 November.

NEW HPA TOP POST CREATED

The HPA has announced the appointment of Mathoba (Mathi) Kona as executive director of the Association

Mathi sees her new position as “an opportunity to give CAM the profile it deserves”. Deirdre Allen will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation while Mathi will concentrate on political and legislative matters pertaining to complementary medicine.

“I see myself as a bridge, as a mediator to make people more aware of the positive benefits of complementary medicine,” explains Mathi, who is a pharmacist with 12 years in the industry. She is well-qualified to take an objective stance and view things from a medical and scientific viewpoint, while maintaining respect for the potential of natural medicine. In her pharmaceutical capacity, she has worked in production, quality control, project management, sales management as well as medical regulatory affairs and marketing.

Her esteem for natural healing dates back to her youth. She recalls childhood days in Attridgeville when her grandmother gave her regular doses of home-made grape seed extracts. “I never caught a cold in winter,” laughs Mathi. “Now I know it was due to the immune boosting elements found in grape seed. I feel it is very important to promote the natural healing wisdom passed from generation to generation for centuries.”

More importantly, however, her mission is to create awareness of verifiable scientific support for natural medicine. “I aim to make people aware of the wealth of scientific research conducted on CAM products. Reputable scientists have studied many of these plants, herbs and oils for decades but people are just not aware of it.”

In CAM’s quest for respect and recognition, it is vital that products are of a consistently high quality, that unsubstantiated claims are avoided, therapeutic doses are adhered to and verifiable research made available. But it is also important that the medical and pharmaceutical industry understand the essential role CAM products and therapists can play in the national health care arena. This is another project on Mathi’s ‘to-do’ list. “I intend to foster positive dialogue between the CAM industry and the medical fraternity in order to build healthy relationships for a better tomorrow,” she declares.

MARKETING GLUCOSAMINE? Take note…

FOLLOWING a recent clash between two companies marketing competitive products containing glucosamine, a new resolution is now in place to regulate the marketing of the substance that has become a favoured ingredient in CAM preparations for joint problems.

All medical terminology relating to pathologies must be avoided on labels, in advertising leaflets, products inserts and any other promotional material. It is no longer acceptable to use ‘osteoarthritis’, ‘osteochondrosis’, ‘spondylosis’ or just the word ‘arthritis’ for products which have note been registered for these indications. These are to be replaced with adjunctive phrases based on physiological functions such as ‘helps in joint function’ and ‘helps with joint maintenance’.

Companies marketing glucosamine are expected to comply with this resolution and those who do not conform will be referred by the HPA to the law enforcement of the Department of Health.

Said John Spence, MD of Pharmachoice who produce a formulation for joint conditions: “Companies have to be responsible in the way they communicate and what they say about their products. Although we cannot advocate a cure, we do have the right to educate the consumer. The HPA and complementary medicine companies have got to take control, and ensure that all promotions and claims are accurate.”

EVENTS…
DON’T MISS THIS GREEN EXPO!

THE natural and organic industry will be in full force for this year’s Natural & Organic Products Exhibition, taking place at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, from 20 to 22 October.

With the expo focusing on opportunities for sustainable business development and activating the South African movement to sustainable change, organisers are seeing interest in things organic rocketing. Sixty-four exhibitors took part in the first exhibition in 2004. There are 220 at the latest show.

Exhibition director, David Wolstenholme, is thrilled. “At a 25% annual growth rate, the organic industry is the fastest growing industry segment worldwide. Compare this with conventional produce using chemicals and GM seeds (which is only growing at 2% per year) and we can start to understand the intensity of a worldwide consumer demand for chemical free products.”

As a consumer and trade information platform, the exhibition not only provides access to a range of products and services but also supports the expansion of the local organic industry. The programme includes the Go Organic Conference with presentations such as The Money’s in Organics – the Buyer’s Wish List; Big Business is Turning Organic and Brazil’s Organic Revolution – How Does It Apply to South Africa. Dr Maria Neeves, the research scientist behind the development of Brazil’s national organic and bio-fuel programmes, will provide insight into the practicalities of going organic.

The South African Natural Products Trade Association will be launching their phytotrade award – and the No Kak Eco-Friendly Fashion Show will show how green fabrics and fibres can be fashionable and fun. This event promises to be the best one yet.

• Contact Nicole Capper: 021-461-9289 / 073-148-3561
• nicole1@telkomsa.net
• www.naturalandorganic.co.za

MEDICAL doctor and TV celebrity, Dr Michael Mol, takes up the reins this month as CEO of Paragon Health, a group of companies that includes Sportron International and Regal Nutrients, supplier of the FoodState brand. Michael will pay particular attention to expanding the group’s involvement in lifestyle management, corporate wellness programmes and HIV management.

Sportron chairman, Dr Alan Tomlinson, described Michael’s appointment as providing young, dynamic leadership as well as management continuity. “He is uniquely suited to lead the group into a strong new season of business growth and success,” said Dr Tomlinson. “His medical background, interpersonal and communication skills, and his business acumen are key credentials. Michael is keenly interested in all aspects of wellness and has a passion for helping people find a holistic, balanced approach to the world they live in.”

After qualifying, Michael did further training in emergency medicine and advanced trauma, cardiac and paediatric life support. A former Mr SA, he is also a Red Cross Children’s Champion and a patron of SA Cares for Life and The Living Hope Community Centre. He has a keen eye for the meta-forces shaping the world. Michael will add value to the world of health and wellness and his appointment is good news for the HPA.

QUALITY THAT COUNTS

THE Dr Reckeweg range of homoeopathic products is world renowned for quality but is barely known in this country.

Developed by Dr Heinrich Reckeweg in the early 20th century, the range first came to SA in the 1970s. Many homeopaths practising at the time swore by them. For decades this brand offered the combination remedy of choice and was prominent in every self-respecting health shop. Unfortunately, Reckeweg visibility took a downturn in the 1990s and was quickly supplanted by other brands. In some areas today, one can be hard-put to find the range.

But this is going to change, if John Smithers has anything to do with it. He was enticed out of semi-retirement three years ago to work with Michael Reckeweg to re-establish the range in the local market.

“Dr Reckeweg products are not in all the places they should be,” admits Smithers. “For many of the older homeopaths, this product was the one and only, but few people are aware of them today. Although it is difficult with current competition, we are determined to get the range back to prominence.”

And the brand deserves it. Dr Reckeweg products are of the highest quality. Produced in Bensheim, Germany, they are still sucussed by hand and not machinery. The preparations consist of ingredients derived from vegetable, animal and mineral sources. Decades of practical applications and clinical use established their reputation as being safe, effective and free from side-effects.

John Smithers, who confesses to having once been an “antibiotic man”, has been astounded by the healing results he has witnessed that can be directly attributed to Dr R. “I have seen people recover from serious problems thanks to these products,” he says. “Reckeweg is the ‘real-deal; pure homeopathy.”

Although the products are imported, the prices are competitive. But they can be difficult to find. Gauteng provides 80% of the business and the Cape just under 20%. So if you live in KZN or the Free State, it will be a hard search. Currently the products are available from most Dischem outlets.

• Head office: 011-886-2555

HOW TO SPICE UP HEALTH CARE...

A new book by Cape Town medical practitioner Dr Keith Scott not only offers insights into the healing powers of spices but provides scientific proof of their mechanisms of action. Called MEDICINAL SEASONINGS: The Healing Power of Spices, the book describes the disease-preventing properties of over 20 spices – from turmeric and ginger to rosemary to liquorice - as well as discussing the effect of spices in inhibiting diseases from cancer and diabetes to Alzheimers and systemic inflammation. It makes for fascinating reading – and should get every reader spicing up their diet to good effect.

www.medicalseasonings.com