15 August 2006
Natural remedies not always safe remedies
"Consumers need clear and accurate information on the effects and side effects of all medicines, especially alternative
medicines" says David Russell of Consumers’ Institute. “They have the potential to do both good and harm.”
A recent survey of emergency patients conducted by Waikato University revealed that over one third of patients used
some kind of alternative medicine and almost half of those were doing so on the advice of a friend.
There was also a high proportion who were self-medicating. An alarming 61 percent of those using alternative medicines
didn’t realise that they could have any adverse side effects and most reported that they did not tell their doctor they
were taking alternative medicines. “Just because it’s natural, it doesn’t mean that it’s not dangerous” says Russell.
“This industry does not have set quality and safety requirements, so it’s up to the individual consumer to question and
research contraindications.”
ENDS