Contamination claims a beat-up: CMA

RESEARCH showing high levels of contamination of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs), is an attempt to “sully the term traditional medicine”, according to Complementary Medicines Australia.

Responding to claims that 50% of CAM products purchased from Australian pharmacies, health food stores and online, tested by researchers from the University of Adelaide, Murdoch University and Curtin University, including products listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) contained contaminants (PD 04 Sep), CMA CEO, Carl Gibson, stressed that stringent regulations are applied to the manufacture and distribution of Australian products.

“Be assured, where complementary medicine products, including herbal medicines are concerned if you see a product in your pharmacy which is registered on the ARTG the accurate identification of medicinal herbs is a legal requirement. It would not be possible to meet consumer expectations without it.”

In a statement the CMA noted that one of the researchers involved in the study Dr Ian Musgrave, was “an active member” of Friends of Science in Medicine, which CMA described as a “minority group” and “anti-complementary medicines”.

Gibson noted that Australianmade CAMs are highly regarded around the world.

“It is of zero benefit for the industry to intentionally adulterate products and damage this important and blossoming industry in this country,” he said.

“Our quality control is worldclass. Our reputation relies on it.”