AAHP highlights safety of homeopathic children's medicines

Oct 26 2010

The American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP), representing the major manufacturers and distributors of homeopathic drugs, highlights the safety of homeopathic children's medicines in response to the recall of Hyland's Teething Tablets. The AAHP supports the efforts to protect the safety of children by both the Standard Homeopathic Company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In a statement released today AAHP officials say they are unequivocal in the importance of the safety of children's medicines. Homeopathic medicines have a long history of being safe to use for the entire family including children and the elderly. Mainly consisting of micro-doses of botanicals that are diluted and shaken vigorously, these medicines have been prescribed by hundreds of thousands of physicians throughout the world for over 200 years. Homeopathy is one of the most widely practiced medical therapies and one of the major advantages to this system of medicine is its high level of safety.

In the U.S., homeopathic medicines are regulated by the FDA as drugs. The agency has published a specific guideline for manufacturing and marketing homeopathic medicines entitled "Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Medicines May be Marketed" (FDA CPG 7132.15). Homeopathic medicines are manufactured according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) and manufactured under the FDA Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The HPUS is an official compendium referenced in the federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. Furthermore, homeopathic medicines have been used safely since before this act passed in 1938.

Standard Homeopathic Company states that adverse events have been reported but the FDA has said that a conclusive link has not been determined. As a homeopathic product, Hyland's Teething Tablets have been used safely for 85 years and possess a wide margin of safety that protects consumers from harm.

Consumers that are concerned about the safety of the product may contact Standard Homeopathic Company for instructions on a refund or replacement product. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should visit www.hylandsteething.com/recall or call 1-877-496-5044 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time).

Today, homeopathy is used by millions of patients in more than 80 countries and is recommended by more than 400,000 healthcare providers. To learn more about the regulatory process and the association's work to better the understanding and appreciation of homeopathic medicines by both professionals and consumers, visit www.homeopathicpharmacy.org.