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SUPPORTING S.A. HEALTHCARE
THE Health Products Association has sent out a strong message about its commitment to making Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAMS) available to all.
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Executive Director Mathabo Kona told guests at countrywide media presentations in May that the HPA supported the concept of individual responsibility for health, preventative health care and informed decision making. “We need to promote the health products industry positively as a necessary and vital contributor to the South African healthcare system,” she said. |
Kona also brought media guests up to date on the work of the Self-Monitoring Technical Committee (SMTC) - a health industry ‘watchdog’ put in place last year, and reported on the ongoing interaction between the HPA and Department of Health in pursuit of appropriate regulations for CAMS.
“One-size-fits-all regulations and legislation are totally unacceptable,” she declared. “The HPA wants separate and appropriate regulations and legislation for CAMS. In order to ensure that this happens, we need key personnel who have a comprehensive knowledge of CAMS to be represented in the Medicines Control Council, the Department of Health and the CMC.”
Training and development for consumers, the industry and professionals is high on the agenda of HPA projects. Plans are under way to launch a CAMS Training Academy in 2008, a UK and SETA accredited Health Shop and Pharmacy Assistants training course and Healthcare Professional Training at the University of Johannesburg. Consumer training and awareness will continue via the HPA’s existing consumer advocacy network.
“It remains the role of the HPA to acknowledge, protect and promote traditions and practices of CAMS as well as its right to exist within all medical paradigms. We fully support the concept of integrative medicine,” said Kona.
She also reported on the state of the complementary medicines industry, gave current statistics on world and South African market size, the SA market share breakdown and figures depicting the size and influence of complementary and traditional medicines. |
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A COUNTRY FREE FROM HIV/AIDS?
GUESTS at the recent HPA media breakfasts were stirred by Dr Margaret Hardman and Dr Gillian Tarr’s presentation on The Challenge of HIV in South Africa & the Role of Nutritional Supplements in it’s Management.
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A member of the committed team at the ACTS Clinic (Aids Care Training and Support Initiative) in Mpumalanga – an organization founded by Dr Hardman – Tarr, who specializes in mother-to-child transmissions, was emphatic in her opinion that, “No child needs to be born with HIV!” |
“AIDS is a chronic, manageable disease,” she explained in outlining the challenges that need to be overcome before a generation of HIV-free babies becomes a reality.
First is the magnitude of the problem – 5 400 000 people in South Africa are infected with HIV and there are an estimated 900 AIDS-related deaths daily. Other challenges are getting people tested; poverty; lack of infrastructure, nutrition, psychosocial support, back-up from district hospitals, diagnostic equipment, medicines for treatment, laboratory monitoring and skilled human resources as well as late presentation and how to prevent new HIV infections.
These challenges seem insurmountable but the ACTS team disagrees. They believe the HIV/AIDS pandemic can be controlled. It will take - among other things - political commitment, community involvement, skilled health professionals, provision of food and nutritional supplements, training and “lots of help from above”.
Of particular interest to the CAMS industry is the role of nutritional supplements in managing HIV/AIDS. “There is increasing recognition and research on the importance in the immune function of micronutrients,” said Hardman & Tarr. “Selenium specifically is being researched as playing a critical role in HIV/AIDS. Low blood selenium levels predict a higher mortality rate and selenium levels are very low in African soil.
“People living with AIDS with relatively high CD4 counts and low viral loads can often remain healthy and well without ARV’s for many years if they have the correct nutritional supplements and a positive lifestyle.”
The ACTS initiative is a microcosm of what can be achieved. Not only do they treat people living with HIV/AIDS, they also train them to work in the field and serve their communities – as counselors, pharmacy assistants and carers. Most importantly, ACTS helps people help themselves – a principle fully endorsed by the HPA. |
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SUPPORTNG THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS
THE prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS should incorporate a comprehensive strategy including dietary support and nutritional supplementation, the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAMS) and the appropriate use of drugs. This is the view of the HPA.
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A visit to the ACTS clinic in Mpumalanga by the HPA’s Dr Alan Tomlinson confirmed that this was the way to go. Dr Tomlinson was deeply moved by the experience. “It was staggering to realize how many people are suffering but I was also impressed by how many wonderful people are committed to helping others,” he said. |
“The HIV/AIDS statistics are shocking,” he continues, “but although HIV/AIDS may be a life sentence, it no longer has to be a death sentence. The HPA believe, in tandem with the DoH, that it is important to support the patient in the earlier stages of the disease with dietary support and nutritional supplements.”
In April, under the chairmanship of Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Nqcuka, the government relaunched the SA National Aids Council (SANAC), an organisation responsible for monitoring and evaluating the national AIDS policy. “Its goal is to decrease infection rates by 50% and provide care, assistance and support for at least 80% of infected people by 2011,” Tomlinson said. “As the HPA, we should support these government endeavours. All of us need to play a part. If we work together, we can make a difference.” |
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CAN YOU DONATE SUPPLEMENTS
TO THE ACTS CLINIC?
If any company is in a position to consider making a donation on either a once-off or regular basis of nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals or fortified foods) to this clinic and all its patients, please contact Dr. Hardman.
- Write to:Acts Initiative,
P O Box 4110,
White River
- Phone:
(013) 751-1515
- Fax:
(013) 751-5231
- E-mail: actsclinic@wol.co.za
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BLACK COHOSH STILL UNDER SCRUTINY
IN his article, European Health Agencies Recommend Liver Warnings on Black Cohosh, director of the American Botanical Council Mark Blumenthal notes that Professor Norman R. Farnsworth - a research professor of pharmacognosy and director of the Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharamaceutical Sciences at the University of Illinois - is currently conducting clinical research on a black cohosh extract under a long-term grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
“He and his colleagues have conducted a virtually exhaustive review of the pharmacological, toxicological and clinical literature on black Cohosh,” Blumenthal writes. In a personal communication from Prof Farnsworth in July 2006, Blumenthal learned that the researchers’ black cohosh trials to monitor liver enzymes in women had shown no increases in enzyme levels over a one-year trial period.
“Dr Farnsworth, an internationally recognized herb expert, does not believe that there is adequate scientific or clinical data available upon which to make regulatory policy on black Cohosh,” Blumenthal concludes.
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WHAT’S OUR NUMBER?
HPA membership has increased to 108 companies. |
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SCIENTIFIC NETWORK
DISPUTES ANTIOXIDANT STUDY
EXPERTS from IADSA’s international scientific network were quick to dispute the negative conclusions of a meta-analysis on antioxidant supplements published in the February 28th edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Describing the study as a ‘pre-determined conclusion in search of a method to support it,’ Dr Andrew Shao of the US Council for Responsible Nutrition said that while meta-analyses could be useful when they combined studies very similar in design and study population, the studies in the paper ‘Mortality in Randomised Trials of Antioxidant Supplements for Primary and Secondary Prevention’ compromised the results because they differed widely from each other in key aspects.
Other members of IADSA’s global scientific network, including Dr Derek Shrimpton and Professor David Richardson from the UK and Dr Hirobumi Ohama from Japan supported this view. They agreed that the conclusions in the headline-grabbing study went much further than the scope of evidence. Their considered view - echoed in the many responses from IADSA member associations - was that consumers could safely continue taking antioxidant food supplements for the benefits they provide.
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Exciting news for us is that Professor David Richardson has accepted an invitation by the HPA to do a series of talks in South Africa in May 2008. |
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VISIT BY NUTRIENT SAFTEY EXPERT
DR John Hathcock, vice president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), has accepted an invitation from the HPA to speak in South Africa in February 2008.
At CRN, Dr Hathcock is responsible for scientific review and regulatory interpretation, specializing in safety and international issues. He has more than 30 years experience in the field, having served as a professor at Iowa State University and senior scientist at the Food and Drug Administration before joining CRN in 1995.
An expert in the safety evaluation of nutrients and other dietary ingredients, he has made numerous presentations on the safety of vitamins and minerals and other dietary ingredients to the US Food and Nutrition Board and is the author of CRN’s Vitamin and Mineral Safety (1997 – 2004).
In addition to publishing numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles, he regularly presents at major national and international conferences on food safety and regulatory issues, including those pertaining to the Codex Alimentarius and the European Commission. He is an elected member of professional societies on nutrition, toxicology, food science and cancer prevention.
Watch out for details of his lecture tour: if you care about the future of the health industry, you can’t afford to miss him!
HEALTHY LIVING EXPO
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THE official HPA exhibition is scheduled to take place at Sandton City in September with Bette McNaughton of Fair Consultations/Promocorp appointed to assist with its management. The Fountain Court venue can only accommodate 30 exhibitors so HPA members are being given first priority. |
Anyone interested in taking part should contact the organizers immediately to ensure a place at this popular exhibition.
The Healthy Living Expo is expected to be well attended with a good quality and quantity of walk-through visitors expected. It will also be advertised on Highveld Radio.
KEEPING IT KOSHER
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KOSHER certification of flavourings is a very specialized field. The Union of Orthodox Synagogues and SAAFFI (South African Association of the Flavour & Fragrance Industry) have agreed that kosher certification needs special attention and are organizing a workshop at which the Kashrut Department will explain the most important aspects of Kosher certification. |
The aim of the workshop is to provide a very clear picture of what is required to obtain and retain the kosher status of flavourings being manufactured, supplied or used.
- CONTACT: MICHAEL GRISTWOOD
- TEL: 011 447 2757/FAX: 0866 203 723
- MOBILE: 082 940 2757
- www.saaffi.co.za
BRINGING HOME THE GREEN MESSAGE
THE aim of the next Natural & Organic Products Exhibition is to bring home the message of enviro-friendly alternatives. Scheduled to be held at the Cape Town ICC from 12 to 14 October, this is the expo’s fourth year. With an anticipated growth from 220 exhibitors in 2006 to 250 in 2007, this year’s event has widened its focus to include environmentally friendly home, garden and textile products and, for the first time, will be introducing established international organic exhibitors.
Positioned as the ‘green trade and no chemical’ networking hub, the expo provides a consumer and trade information platform and invites industry, consumer, buyers, media and big business to join.
CUSTOMS & EXCISE WORKSHOP PLANNED
IMPORTING and exporting CAMS products can be a minefield of red tape. In an effort to assist local companies understand the complexities involved, the HPA – assisted by the Department of Health - is planning a workshop aimed at enlightening HPA members on the role of customs & excise and its impact on business. Although only scheduled for next year, health industry members are invited to communicate their interest as soon as possible to Deirdre Allen at the HPA office.
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HEALTH DEPARTMENT INTRODUCES
LOW COST VITAMIN RANGE
| UK: The UK Department of Health has introduced low cost ‘Healthy Start Vitamins’ to support their supplement recommendation for women and young children. Healthy Start vitamin drops for children are based on Reference Nutrient Intake values rather than adult Recommended Daily Amounts. |
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The drops are provided free to beneficiaries of the Healthy Start Scheme – qualifying pregnant women, new mothers and children – but can also be sold by Primary Health Care Trusts to other customers.
SUPPLEMENTS SAVE HEALTHCARE COSTS
USA: A recently published study, commissioned by the Dietary Supplement Education Alliance, updates the research on supplementation and healthcare cost savings carried out by the Lewin Group. The new study concludes that over a five year period the appropriate use of certain dietary supplements would both improve the health of key populations and save more than $24 billion in healthcare costs. The supplements highlighted in the study are:
- calcium with vitamin D in relation to avoidance of hospitalization for hip fracture
- folic acid in relation to avoidance of neural tube defect
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids in relation to reduction of coronary heart disease
- lutein with zeaxanthin in relation to age related macular degeneration.
TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE FOR BOTANICALS
BELGIUM: The European Botanical Forum (EBF) is pressing for traditional knowledge to be taken into account in the evaluation of health claims submitted for the central ‘generic’ claims of the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation. As Patrick Coppens, secretary for the EBF points out, under European medicines law, the registration procedure for traditional herbal medicines allows proof of traditional use to replace conventional efficacy data, and it would therefore be ‘quite disproportionate’ if the requirements for substantiating a health effect for a food were to be more demanding.
BLACK COHOSH AGAIN!
ITALY: In February, the Italian Ministry of Health officially re-approved the use of black cohosh on the condition that a specific warning statement is indicated on the product label. This decision has been taken following a safety evaluation by the Italian Ministry Commission of dietetic foods and nutrition at the end of last year, also taking into account the positions of other EU member states. Black cohosh has been under scrutiny due to claims associating it with hepatoxicity.
NUTRIENT LEVELS ADOPTED
AUSTRALIA: Australia has now adopted New Zealand limits for selenium, vitamin A and niacin. The decision has been welcomed by the New Zealand food supplement industry as being an important step towards the establishment of a joint Australia-New Zealand agency agreement for supplements.
FOLIC ACID DEBATE CONTINUES
NEW ZEALAND: No decision has yet been reached on plans by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for the mandatory fortification of bread with folic acid. It is estimated that the measure could deliver 50% of the amount of folic acid needed to avoid neural tube defects. However, concerns remain about the possibility of masking deficiency of other B vitamins in the elderly, the effects of large amounts of folic acid on young children and the financial implications for the food industry.
FOLIC ACID DROPPED FROM
HEALTHY HEART LIST
USA: The American Health Association has dropped folic acid from its 2007 Guideline for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women on the grounds that recent studies have not demonstrated the efficacy of folic acid in protecting the heart. Dietary supplement trade associations have disputed this decision, pointing out the body of evidence existed (in particular the review published in the British Medical Journal) in support of folic acid’s beneficial role in heart health.
CONCERNS ON FISH OIL LEGISLATION
EU: The European Federation of Association of Health Products Manufacturers (EHPM) has raised concerns around the impact of new EU regulation concerning the certification of fish oils for human consumption.
Fish oils for the food supplement industry are supplied mainly by third world and developing countries. It appears that due to the structure of the market, the number of changes and related costs necessary to comply with this regulation, the establishments in the supplier countries would not be able to meet the EU deadline of November 2007. EHPM fears that if the current deadline is maintained, there is a risk of shortage of compliant fish oil for the industry, making it impossible to continue to market popular fish oil and omega 3 supplement products. |
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If you would like to share your company news with the industry please email:
fairallm@mweb.co.za or zansu@iafrica.com
Health Product Association of South Africa
PO Box 55544 • Northlands • Johannesburg 2116 •
South Africa
Tel : +27 11 789 4464 • Fax : +27 11 789 4464
email: hpasa@hpasa.co.za | website: www.hpasa.co.za
The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily endorsed by the HPA.
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