Global Market for Botanical Products

Abstract

The past few years have seen dramatic changes in the climate for botanical products both in the U. S. and throughout the world. The impressive growth of the market in the U.S. (fueled by passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994) has now leveled off leaving the industry with overstock of product and a somewhat uncertain future. On the other hand, the U.S. FDA has just published their draft guidelines for development of botanicals medicines as drugs, reflecting a growing interest in the drug model for these products. This chapter will cover a picture of the global market for botanical products as well as looking at the current U.S. market including market figures, best selling products and current surveys of consumer attitudes. It will also include a brief discussion of the TCM market and the potential for its development in the U. S.