Herbalists ‘causing kidney failures’

Some traders are selling harmful herbal medicines that have caused a rise in kidney failure in the country, according to several members of the Shoura Council. They have called for legislation to be passed speedily to regulate the industry.

Khawla Al-Kuraya, a member, warned that there would be further adverse effects on the country if the council fails to introduce laws that oversee trading in herbs, which she blamed for the rise in kidney failures. Al-Kuraya, during a discussion on draft legislation regarding the trade of herbs and its derivatives for medical purposes submitted by fellow member Mohsin Al-Hazmi, said a major campaign should be launched to warn the public about fake products.

Zainab Abu Taleb said the National Center for Alternative Medicine should be more active in protecting consumers, while Khalifa Al-Dosari suggested that all imported products be labeled with information on contents and expiry dates.

The draft bill has 34 articles regulating the use of herbs for medicinal purposes including production, importation, storage, display, marketing and selling of these products in perfume and other shops.

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