RE: MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12

[Guest guest]

HiI would not believe anything the MHRA says about herbs,RegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: www.drgascoigne.comOn 20 Aug 2012, at 16:19, "Shaw" wrote:

I attach a link to their press release below:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11 respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it "is not a serious safety issue" but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy, asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.

However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?

Many thanks,

[Guest guest]

, I loved your answer... Sara ZanoneMedical Herbalist BSc (Hons)www.sarazanone.com Da: Gascoigne (IRL) A: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Inviato: Lunedì 20 Agosto 2012 22:40 Oggetto: Re: MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12

HiI would not believe anything the MHRA says about herbs,RegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: http://www.drgascoigne.com/On 20 Aug 2012, at 16:19, "Shaw" wrote:

I attach a link to their press release below:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11 respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it "is not a serious safety issue" but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy, asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.

However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?

Many thanks,

[Guest guest]

HiYou are welcome. There is a hot debate on Facebook at the moment about this nonsense. Look for Herbal Medicine Questions page,RegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: www.drgascoigne.comOn 21 Aug 2012, at 13:12, sara zanone wrote:

, I loved your answer... Sara ZanoneMedical Herbalist BSc (Hons)www.sarazanone.com Da: Gascoigne (IRL) A: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Inviato: Lunedì 20 Agosto 2012 22:40 Oggetto: Re: MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12

HiI would not believe anything the MHRA says about herbs,RegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: http://www.drgascoigne.com/On 20 Aug 2012, at 16:19, "Shaw" wrote:

I attach a link to their press release below:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11 respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it "is not a serious safety issue" but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy, asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.

However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?

Many thanks,

[Guest guest]

HiSee this article about echinacea and Ireland. Note the reason given for echinacea not be used - http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0821/irish-medicines-board-herbal-products.html.RegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: www.drgascoigne.comOn 21 Aug 2012, at 13:12, sara zanone wrote:

, I loved your answer... Sara ZanoneMedical Herbalist BSc (Hons)www.sarazanone.com Da: Gascoigne (IRL) A: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Inviato: Lunedì 20 Agosto 2012 22:40 Oggetto: Re: MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12

HiI would not believe anything the MHRA says about herbs,RegardsDr GascoigneMedical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234Website: http://www.drgascoigne.com/On 20 Aug 2012, at 16:19, "Shaw" wrote:

I attach a link to their press release below:

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11 respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it "is not a serious safety issue" but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy, asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.

However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?

Many thanks,

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr McSharry, Thank you for your query. Please find a link below to the IMB press statement which outlines that the IMB recommendation regarding use of Echinacea relates to children under 12 years. Please note that teenagers and adults are not affected by this recommendation. IMB Press Release re Echinacea in children This issue was discussed at length at IMB with our Expert Subcommittee for Herbal Medicines. This Committee includes medical herbalists, pharmacognocists, pharmacists and a paediatrician. As part of the discussions much data was reviewed. We also considered the advice of the HMPC which is the Herbal Expert Committee of the European Medicines Agency. Please see below much of the data that was reviewed. Please find the European Medicines Agency Echinacea purpurea herba and radix monographs with Assessment Reports and in particular the Lists of References at the 6 links below. This information is freely available to the general public on the European Medicines Agency website and so a similar search can be done for the other two species Echinacea pallida and Echinacea Angustifolia. http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_Community_herbal_monograph/2011/01/WC500101497.pdf http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2011/02/WC500102035.pdf http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_List_of_references_supporting_the_assessment_report/2011/02/WC500102036.pdf http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_Community_herbal_monograph/2009/12/WC500018263.pdf http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2009/12/WC500018261.pdf http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_List_of_references_supporting_the_assessment_report/2009/12/WC500018266.pdf The Cochrane review of Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold can be found at the link below. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub2/full We also reviewed World Health Organisation adverse event data for Echinacea as part of our safety assessment. We cannot disseminate this data to third parties. However, you can contact them directly to ask them for their data on the adverse events reported to Echinacea species. The link to their website is below: http://www.who.int/en/ Please also note that the Regulatory Authority for Medicines in the UK have published a similar recommendation in relation to the use of Echinacea in children, please see the link below for their press statement. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627 We hope this information is helpful to you. Fergal ston PA to Ann O’ConnorDirector of Human Products Authorisation & RegistrationIrish Medicines Board | Bord Leigheasra na hÉireann O’Malley House, Earlsfort Centre, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2.Tel: +353 1 6764971Fax: +353 1 6767836www.imb.ie P Please consider the environment before printing this email **********************************************************************The information transmitted is intended only for the person orentity to which it is addressed and may contain confidentialand/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission,dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action inreliance upon, this information by persons or entities otherthan the intended recipient is prohibited. If you receivedthis in error, please contact the sender and delete the materialfrom any computer.IMB Mail Disclaimer**********************************************************************Irish Medicines Board O'Malley House,Earlsfort Centre,Earlsfort Terrace,Dublin 2.Tel +353 1 6764971www.imb.ie**********************************************************************This email message has been virus scanned********************************************************************** From: ukherbal-list [mailto:ukherbal-list ] On Behalf Of Gascoigne (IRL)Sent: 21 August 2012 23:29To: ukherbal-list Subject: Re: MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12 Hi You are welcome. There is a hot debate on Facebook at the moment about this nonsense. Look for Herbal Medicine Questions page, Regards Dr Gascoigne Medical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234 Website: www.drgascoigne.comOn 21 Aug 2012, at 13:12, sara zanone wrote: , I loved your answer... Sara ZanoneMedical Herbalist BSc (Hons)www.sarazanone.comDa: Gascoigne (IRL) A: " ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Inviato: Lunedì 20 Agosto 2012 22:40Oggetto: Re: MHRA advises Echinacea not be given to children under 12 Hi I would not believe anything the MHRA says about herbs, Regards Dr Gascoigne Medical doctor, acupuncturist, herbalistClinics in Bath & Tetbury, UKTel: +44 (0) 79 88 05 92 01Also, Bandon, Co. Cork, IrelandTel: +353 (0) 87 9266234 Website: http://www.drgascoigne.com/On 20 Aug 2012, at 16:19, " Shaw " wrote: I attach a link to their press release below:http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11 respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it " is not a serious safety issue " but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy, asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?Many thanks,

[Guest guest]

Many thanks for all the responses. I was particularly interested to see the

IMB's response below. I tend to agree with 's view (!) but as a newly

qualified herbalist I felt it prudent to assume that I had missed some new

evidence on safety, until proven otherwise.

If there is indeed any new evidence, the IMB letter seems to suggest it may lie

in the WHO adverse events data which they were unable to share. I am, rather

ironically, fighting off a respiratory infection with fever at the moment, but

once I'm back at my desk I'll try and get hold of that info and share it.

Until then, back to the Echinacea

>

>

>

> I attach a link to their press release below:

>

> http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON180627

>

> I immediately took a look at HMPC's latest assessment documents for Echinacea

angustifolia radix and Echinacea purpurea radix, dated 29/05/12 and 10/02/11

respectively. I wanted to ascertain if there was any new research that might

inform our practice as herbalists in this matter. However, I couldn't find

anything explicit. The MHRA have said themselves that it " is not a serious

safety issue " but with the way it is being reported in the press, concerned

parents are likely to ask us about it. It may be that in the context of a proper

consultation with a trained herbalist, who will screen each patient for atopy,

asthma, allergic tendencies etc., there is no need to change tack with regard to

prescribing Echinacea to children under 12.

>

> However, if anyone knows of a reason for us as practitioners to change our

approach, or knows a bit more of the background to this change in decision by

MHRA and HMPC, it would be very useful to know?

>

> Many thanks,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Aine,

I don't believe any flu vaccination policy would ever consider

Echinacea as a factor in vaccination uptake.

The rationale for this policy is to increase vaccination rates in

interpandemic years, and is just one part of the global six part WHO

position agenda for pandemic influenza preparedness. The WHO position

paper (following the avian H5N1 outbreak from 2003 and again

highlighted from the lack of preparedness in the 2009 H1N1 'swine' flu

pandemic) has finally filtered down through various EU projects and

bodies (VENICE project, European Centre for Disease Prevention and

Control, and of course the European Commission!).

This part of the policy has a twofold aim, i.) to increase industrial

capacity for vaccine production in a pandemic, and ii.) to increase

the poor take up rates within the population as a whole (especially

risk groups). If it wasn't for the current economic situation I could

see us following the U.S. policy of annual vaccination for ALL over 6

months of age.

Kind regards,