Quality control of certain herbal products used for respiratory disorders

Abstract

Quality control may be taken to mean 'testing samples to check compliance with a predetermined specification 'it is practically concerned with sampling, specifications and testing as well as organization, documentation and release procedures, which ensure that the necessary and relevant tests are carried out and the materials are not released for use, nor products released for sale or supply, until their quality has been judged as satisfactory. National regulation and registration of herbal medicines varies from country to country. Where herbal medicines are regulated, they are categorized either as prescription or non-prescription medicines. Within a country, a group of herbal products categorized other than medicines may coexist. Herbal products categorized other than as medicines and foods, are becoming increasingly popular and there is potential for adverse events due to lack of regulation, weak quality control systems and loose distribution channels