Milburn to announce tough measures on herbal drugs

Action Against Herbal Highs

Ministers have evidence that despite claims to the contrary the products, marketed as natural alternatives to ecstasy and cannabis, can be harmful and in some circumstances potentially lethal.

The substances, mostly in pill form, are widely available by mail order, in clubs and at specialist shops and are sold under a variety of names, including Love Dove, Druid's Dream and Mind Bandits. Ingredients in the products include khat, yohimbine, ipomoea and ephedrine.

The Department of Health is particularly concerned by evidence that at least 15 deaths in America in the past year have been associated with products containing ephedra, based on ephedrine.

MCA will police herbal drugs

Khat is said to cause a form of psychosis and yohimbine can be dangerous if taken with drugs found in cold and cough remedies.

Under plans to be announced by the Health minister Alan Milburn on Wednesday, suppliers could face up to two years imprisonment. Longer sentences could be imposed for those running major factories producing the drugs.

Mr Milburn is to announce that the Government now regards the substances as medicines. Covered by the Medicines Act 1968, trading in them will be illegal unless manufacturers or vendors obtain a government licence.

Licences are awarded by the Medicines Control Agency only if a firm conducts extensive clinical trials and can prove a product is safe. Such trials are likely to be too long and costly for those who sell the so-called "herbal highs".

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