The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the Ayurvedic
Drug Manufacturers Association (ADMA) of India have signed a formal
inter-organizational agreement based on their mutual desire to promote
and protect the trade of Ayurvedic herbs.1 The idea for a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two organizations was
conceived by AHPA’s Ayurvedic Products Committee and the MOU was signed
in December 2007, according to Katia Fowler, AHPA’s Director of
Communications (e-mail, May 7, 2008). It was formally exchanged at the
Herbal International Summit and Expo on Medicinal, Aromatic Products
and Spices (Hi-MAPS) in New Delhi, India, on April 4, 2008. The
agreement specifically involves sharing the following communications:
correspondence sent to organization members related to herbal products,
ideas and changes involving self-regulatory policies, and communication
exchanges with government regulatory agencies.2
According to Michael McGuffin, president of AHPA, the value of the
partnership comes from the combination of ADMA’s Ayurvedic history and
experience in India and AHPA’s herbal knowledge and experience in the
United States (e-mail, May 7, 2008).
“Both AHPA and ADMA are strongly committed to this tradition, and
the unique skills and experience of their respective staff and
membership complement each other well,” said McGuffin. “We feel these
organizations are natural partners in the promotion of trade in
Ayurvedic herbs.”
ADMA is also positive about the collaboration of the two
organizations: “We look forward to an era of co-operations and
communication in mutual interest,” said Ranjit Puranik, the ADMA
General Secretary, according to an AHPA press release.1 “It is time to build closer relationships among the many organizations that share in interest in Ayurvedic herbal products.”
Ayurvedic herbal products and their botanical ingredients have
experienced some challenges in the US market in recent years, as some
reports have been published documenting the presence of heavy metals in
some Ayurvedic herbal formulations made in India.3,4
Presumably, part of the intention of the AHPA/ADMA agreement is to
ensure that such problems are remedied so that Ayurvedic products will
enjoy more consumer and professional confidence in the US.
“The co-operation will ensure timely exchange of information
relevant to Ayurvedic herbs any time a significant event takes place-
whether in India or in USA,” wrote P K Davé, AHPA member and co-chair
of the AHPA Ayurvedic Committee (e-mail, May 9, 2008). “This would
include (but is not be limited to) legislative issues, significant
market news, quality and technical issues.”
—Kelly E. Saxton
References
1AHPA Formalizes Inter-Organizational Agreement with
Ayurvedic Group [press release]. Silver Springs, MD: American Herbal
Products Association; April 4, 2008.
2AHPA/ ADMA Agreement [memorandum of understanding]. Silver Springs, MD:AHPA; September 17, 2008.
3
Lynch, Emma; Braithwaite, Robin. A review of the clinical and
toxicological aspects of 'traditional' (herbal) medicines adulterated
with heavy metals. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005;4(4):769-778.
4 Saper R, Kales S, Paquin J, et al. Heavy metal content of Ayurvedic herbal medicine products. JAMA. 2004 December 15;292(23):2868-2873. |