In response to issues surrounding the use of 'black salve' in the community, a delegate of the TGA previously made an application to the Advisory Committee of Medicine Scheduling to make Sanguinaria canadensis, or blood root, a Schedule 10 substance when containing 0.01% or more of sanguinarine. S10 are substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use.

Following the initial round of consultation, the TGA have made an interim decision (subject to final round of consultation) to confirm this scheduling approach.

This decision is expected to:

• Not affect medicines currently listed on the ARTG, including other herbs with sanguinarine as a component such as Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus), or suitably dilute homoeopathic listings of S. canadensis.
• Make ineligible any and all supply of black salve or similar topical preparations or any preparations of blood root with more than 0.01% sanguinarine in Australia.
• It may affect some practitioners who use blood root as a tincture for oral use.