Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research versão On-
line ISSN 1414-431X CALIXTO, J.B.. Efficacy, safety, quality
control, marketing and regulatory guidelines for herbal
medicines (phytotherapeutic agents) . Braz J Med Biol Res
[online]. 2000, vol.33, n.2, pp. 179-189. ISSN 1414-431X.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-879X2000000200004. This review
highlights the current advances in knowledge about the safety,
efficacy, quality control, marketing and regulatory aspects of
botanical medicines. Phytotherapeutic agents are standardized
herbal preparations consisting of complex mixtures of one or
more plants which contain as active ingredients plant parts or
plant material in the crude or processed state. A marked growth
in the worldwide phytotherapeutic market has occurred over the
last 15 years. For the European and USA markets alone, this will
reach about $7 billion and $5 billion per annum, respectively,
in 1999, and has thus attracted the interest of most large
pharmaceutical companies. Insufficient