3 Paragraphs And A Conclusion- Aphrodisiacs

This is not a grammar or English Language lesson. In the light of the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) revoking the sale of the six “supposedly” herbal aphrodisiacs, there were questions to ask and definitely answers needed.

FIRST PARAGRAPH-OPEN LETTER TO FDA
JULY 21, 2015-FDA BANS 6 APHRODISIACS- This was the headline that dominated the news. I wouldn’t want to mention the products again but the questions most Ghanaians asked on all the social media platforms I visited remained; WHY OR HOW WERE THE PRODUCTS REGISTERED IN THE FIRST PLACE after that what next? I sought answers:

Before a product is registered, it is sent to the laboratory and the required phytochemical and pharmacological test conducted to identify the active constituents. Microbial tests are not left out and I believe it is thoroughly accessed by experts before it is pronounced safe and efficacious for human consumption.

I don’t believe the FDA couldn’t detect these adulterations during these processes; I wouldn’t want to believe that. I also I know the DRUG ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT of the FDA is responsible for “post-market surveillance” including monitoring adverts of these products so the question again is; “how long after these products were registered until it was discovered to be adulterated?”

Market surveillance includes “advert monitoring”, one particular product included in the six, I listen to the advert of radio and I hear the comment “as for this herbal aphrodisiac, when you take it you don’t have to wait for even 30min and you are ready for action”. Really? Herbal medicines have a long therapeutic range meaning it takes time to work. The very first day I heard that advert as an herbal medical consultant I knew there was something in that product. How long did it take the FDA to notice that? Is the FDA having qualified herbal medical consultants in their ranks to monitor herbal medicines?

In a situation like this, the FDA is going to require “administrative charges” and then recall of these products and then what? I am only asking questions. My question: after the charges and recall what next? So after these guys have made so much money on the products already, you think they can’t pay whatever charge you give them? So if they pay and pay and pay they can still rebrand this product and sell it to Ghanaians? What other sanctions are there for them?

FDA needs to take another look at how they are controlling herbal medicines. There are herbal medicine institutions, authorities and a department at KNUST with experts and qualified practitioners is high time for a collaboration to churn out the quacks. Adulteration is a big issue. This is time to take another look at the problem. Administrative charges and recall isn’t enough if that is all is to be done. People already have these products in their rooms and they will use them even after this notice. How can the harm done be corrected?

PARAGRAPH TWO-TO THE HERBAL PRODUCERS
You saw a green gold mine in the herbal industry, and everyone is mining, using fair or foul means. I might be harsh and conclusive with my opening statement but I just read it again I wouldn’t change it. There are credible herbal facilities and producers who are practicing genuinely whilst a few are degrading the system.

Phytotherapy has been with us since antiquity. People of ancient days used plants medicines for their therapeutic properties.

• Phytotherapy is the study of the use of extracts from plant origin as medicines or health-promoting agents. Phytotherapy is a form of medical treatment which relies on the use of plants, either whole or in the form of prepared extracts and essences.
• Phytotherapy involves the study of plants to determine their properties, and the careful application of these plants to treat medical problems.

When Phytotherapy is conducted responsibly in this scientific era, the preparations used are standardized, which means that the plants are grown, harvested, and processed in a way which is designed to create a very reliable and stable dose of active ingredients.

CLASSIFICATION OF HERBAL MEDICINE
According to the world health organization, herbal medicine is classified into four categories.

• Herbs: these are crude plant materials such as leaves, barks, roots etc. which may be entire, fragmented or powdered materials.
• Herbal materials: they include not only the herbs but also fresh juices, dried powders including semi processed materials. In some countries, these materials may be processed by various local procedures, such as steaming, roasting, or stir-baking with honey, alcoholic beverages or other materials
• Herbal preparations: these are produced by extraction, fractionation, and purification which are the basis of the ultimate in herbal medicines. They also include preparations made by steeping or heating herbal materials in alcoholic beverages (bitters) and/or honey, or in other materials.
• Finished herbal products: herbal preparations made from one or more herbs. If more than one herb is used, the term ‘mixture’ can also be used. The product may contain certain excipient in addition to the main herbs or active ingredients used.

PLEASE NOTE!
Herbal medicines containing plant materials combined with chemically defined active substances, e.g. Penicillin salts, Epson salt, Vitamin B Co., Paracetamol etc. or even isolated constituents of higher plants e.g. artesunate are not considered to be herbal medicines!

Herb-drug, herb-herb, herb-food interactions are serious topics when it comes to safety. To the herbal producers, if you are out there claiming to be providing natural remedies, please note that apart from destroying the same practice you are reaping enormous profit from, you are also defying the principles of the practice and thus bringing disrepute to the very profession.

Herbal medicines on their own work, they have an active constituent which works when it is well extracted or prepared with qualified practitioners. Desist from the business-minds of just wanting to make money so you would want your product to work. If you really know herbal medicines, you won’t bother adding chemical substances. Herbal medicines work with time not in emergencies.

“If you are into the herbal industry, please practice by the principles. Don’t muddy the water you are fishing from-Nanabanyin Rudolph”

PARAGRAPH THREE-AN OPEN LETTER TO GHANAIANS
The third factor in the equation is the consumer. How the youth of today think performing in bed is the only thing a woman is looking in a man; I might be wrong. If you are using aphrodisiacs at this time, from 20years to 35 years, what will you use when you are 45years and above?

All drugs have side effects, herbal medicines are not exceptions. Some drugs have adverse effects. There are some of us out there who will try everything. We see them in buses we will buy, we hear them on radio, we will buy, we see them on TV we will buy, once they say is “herbal” we will buy it. This is a wake-up call to all meaning Ghanaians, in your quest to use natural products consult qualified practitioners, visit credible herbal clinics and play your part in helping to weed out the quacks and this is not about the products in the news, this is a general cry to all of us.

In this letter to Ghanaians, the group of Ghanaians who are in the middle of it is the media. These products are garnished with sweet enticing words in their advertisement and therefore lure the people to patronize it. What can the media do to ensure claims these producers present with their products is certified by FDA or the department of herbal medicine, do we even try to make just a phone call to these authorities to verify their claims before we proceed with the advert? Perhaps is not in your code of conduct books that is I used a question mark (?) before I am held in contempt.

CONCLUSION
We all have a part to play. If we are looking forward to safe, alternative complementary medicine, this is the time all sectors got actively involved in ensuring safety, efficacy and quality of herbal medicines.

NANABANYIN RUDOLPH
HERBAL MEDICAL CONSULTANT
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTIVIST
#[email protected]/0247930389