Updates

Parents advised not to use unlicensed children’s herbal medicine

August 9, 2012

A herbal medicine sold by Holland and Barrett for children and young people is being taken off shelves. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has asked Holland and Barrett to stop selling the product because there are concerns that it may not be suitable for use in children and adolescents and may cause unwanted side effects.

MHRA advises: “Parents need to remember that just because a product is labelled as ‘natural’ does not mean it is safe.”

The product, Herbal Authority: Echinacea & Golden Root for Juniors, is unlicensed, labelled incorrectly and the herbal ingredients that are claimed to be in the medicine are incorrectly described.

If your child has taken this product and you have any concerns, please speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you do buy herbal products, check the label for a ‘THR’ number – this shows it is part of the MHRA traditional herbal registration scheme and means it is safe.  For more information, please see the MHRA website.

We also recommend that when your child is prescribed a medicine you check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any herbal or complementary medicines to your child. See General advice about medicines.