GOOD HERBAL COMPOUNDING AND DISPENSING PRACTICES

Good Herbal Compounding and Dispensing Practices White Paper is a free resource created by the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA). It provides best practice guidelines for any practitioner, clinic, or herbal dispensary compounding herbal formulations for clients following one-to-one consultations, based on standard good manufacturing practice concepts such as sanitation of facilities and equipment, quality control practices, documentation of procedures, and record-keeping.  In this session, Michael McGuffin, Executive Director of AHPA, introduces the guidelines as a resource for practitioners to protect the health and safety of their clients or patients when compounding formulas in a clinical setting. Benjamin Zappin, L.Ac., founder of Five Flavor Herbs, describes how he applies the guidelines in a busy clinical or herbal dispensary setting based on his own experience. Wilson Lau of NuHerbs will advise on best practices for assessing botanical raw materials' identity and considerations for effective ways to engage with suppliers. All three presenters will be present for Q & A at the end of the webinar.  Participants will gain practical information and receive template documents one can use in their clinic or apothecary to protect their clients' health and safety regardless of the size of their practice.

Presenter Bio:

Benjamin Zappin, L.Ac. RH(AHG), has been working as an herbalist for over 20 years as a wildcrafter, medicine maker, clinician, herbal pharmacist, and educator. Ben practices and operates Five Flavors Herbs, Inc. in Oakland, California.

Wilson Lau, Vice President, Nuherbs, is the third generation of his family to lead Nuherbs, the leading Chinese herb ingredient company. Actively involved in industry initiatives, Wilson is a member of the American Herbal Products Association Board of Trustees and has held various leadership roles within that organization. He participates in botanical sustainability initiatives in China and currently serves on FairWild’s Advisory Panel. Wilson received a J.D from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2003 and graduated from Macalester College in 2000, with a B.A. in Economics and Geography..

Michael McGuffin has served as the President of the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) since 1999. He has been active in the herbal industry since 1974, having owned both retail and manufacturing businesses in this field. A leading expert on dietary supplement regulation, Mr. McGuffin has been published in scholarly and scientific journals, including the Food and Drug Law Journal and Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics among others. Mr. McGuffin has represented the herbal industry at state and federal hearings on herbal regulatory issues and serves on the boards of the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and United Plant Savers. Mr. McGuffin has been quoted in a variety of news publications such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek and has made appearances on ABC's Nightline, National Public Radio, and ABC Radio.