A group of MPs has appealed to the secretary of state for health Jeremy Hunt for clearer medicine labelling after it was revealed that almost 75% of commonly prescribed medicines in the UK contain animal-derived products.
Vegan
The information was revealed to the APPG by consultant gastroenterologist Dr Kinesh Patel, whose research, published in the British Medical Journal, found that 74 out of 100 of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the UK contain animal-derived products.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism appealed to Mr Hunt in a letter to set guidance surrounding the labelling of medicines after Brexit.
In a letter address to Mr Hunter, the group asked for any already-existing animal-free alternatives to prescription products to be brought in across the board.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vegetarianism and Veganism is co-sponsored by The Vegan Society, Vegetarian for Life and the Vegetarian Society and comprises MPs Christina Rees and Kerry McCarthy; Conservative MP Henry Smith; and Green Party Peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb.
The group has also asked for guidance for medical professionals about seeking consent when using animal-based medicines, as well as guidance for manufacturers in relation to food-style labelling of medicines containing ingredients of animal origin.
Tom Kuehnel, campaigns officer at The Vegan Society, said: “Vegans are careful to avoid the use and consumption of animals, or animal-derived ingredients, however, I think most would be surprised to find out that many common medicines are not vegan, and therefore the taking of them is not in line with their beliefs.”
Speaking about his research, Dr Patel said: “I don't think most people were aware of how much animal products are an integral part of pharmaceutical manufacture. The sadness is that much of it is not necessary – gelatine-free capsules are available, and they certainly don’t need to be used, but as with much of medicine, it's the cheapest cost item. Without public pressure to change things I think it’s unlikely that we’re going to see significant change for something that should happen and I think can happen.”
Dr Patel’s research found instances where gelatine was used but in some cases the product assessment reports did not mention that they contained ingredients of animal origin, and in others they wrongly stated that the product contained no animal-derived ingredients at all.
The research highlights a problem for the UK’s 1.7 million vegans and vegetarians and also for those who do not consume animal-derived products for medical reason or religious, cultural or ethical concerns.