International monitoring of adverse health effects associated with herbal medicines

Herbal medicines are used in health care around the world and may increase in importance. There is much uncertainty, however, with regard to their com position, efficacy and safety. There is substantial evidence that herbal me dicines can cause serious adverse reactions, but more data are needed as re gard their nature, frequency and preventability. In this respect the Uppsal a Monitoring Centre of the World Health Organization can play a crucial rol e. Better reporting of adverse reactions to herbal medicines is needed, in particular with regard to the precise identity and composition of these pro ducts. A consistent use by producers, regulators and reporters of the inter national Latin binomial nomenclature and the use of the new Herbal Anatomic al Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification are recommended. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.