http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120922-0000056/Spore-to-allow-sale-of-chinese-medicine-containing-berberine
This was announced today by Health Minister Gan Kim Yong at a forum on traditional Chinese medicine by overseas experts.
Berberine is an alkaloid present naturally in some herbs such as Rhizoma coptidis and Cortex phellodendri, and used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its "heat-clearing" and 'dampness-drying' properties.
The prohibition of the use of berberine, as controlled under the Poisons Act, was implemented by the Ministry of Health in 1978, arising from local safety concerns that berberine could cause severe jaundice and brain damage in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficient babies.
The Health Sciences Authority, together with its expert committees, has been monitoring the situation and conducting ongoing scientific reviews on the safety profile of berberine.
The latest review conducted by the Berberine Expert Panel indicates that there are no major safety concerns when berberine is used appropriately.
However, it cautioned that it should still be avoided in infants, G6PD deficient individuals of all ages, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Based on the recommendations of the Berberine Expert Panel and taking into consideration that there are sufficient safeguards in place, HSA, in consultation with MOH, will adopt a phased approach in the lifting of the prohibition on berberine in Singapore.
For a start, the use of CPM containing berberine, for example in capsules, oral liquid preparations, powders and granules used by TCM practitioners in their dispensing, would be allowed with effect from Jan 1 next year.
In the absence of major safety issues, the HSA will review the possible further lifting of prohibition on Chinese herbs containing berberine by 2015.
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