The Ministry of Health (MOH), Singapore had previously carried out a review on the overseas adverse reports of aristolochia associated with its usage in non-traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ways, and imposed several control measures in Oct 2000. These included disallowing aristolochia herbs in non-Chinese Proprietary Medicines (CPM) sold to the general public, additional labelling of CPM products containing aristolochia herbs to warn consumers against long term and/or inappropriate use, and record keeping by importers and wholesalers of aristolochia herbs. The MOH has been continuously monitoring the local and overseas situations closely.

In view of recent developments in China and Taiwan where the control of aristolochia has been tightened due to emerging cases of adverse reports associated with TCM usage, MOH has recently conducted another review on aristolochia. To safeguard public health, aristolochic acids and their salts (the toxic constituents of aristolochia herbs) will be controlled under the Poisons Act with effect from 1 Jan 2004. With this new measure, products (including CPM) and herbs sold and supplied in Singapore are not allowed to contain aristolochic acids and their salts with effect from 1 Jan 2004. The above new measure will only affect a relatively small group of products in the local market.