The pharma companies' war against herbal remedies is beginning to bite via the EU's directive.
A backgound to what is happening now was outlined in this Guardian article in 2002
Health supplements: R.I.P. | Society | The Guardian
I use a herb named Lomatium Dissectum, which I have found to be very effective against all types of bronchial infection.
After May this year no company in EU is allowed to sell it.
Fortunately this country does not block its import
yet, although some EU countries do.
I have recently received a shipment of 4 1oz bottles of tincture from USA which cost $44.56/£28.83. Delivery was delayed by 3weeks whilst UK customs decided to add on a vat charge, and Royal Mail added on an extra £8 for 'handling' the collection of that vat.
Since I expect to need a bottle a week during the winter months I have searched for a way to reduce the cost.
If I import only two bottles at a time, the customs declaration will show the value of the import to be less than £15, so I will escape paying import duty @12%, vat @20% and Royal Mail's £8.
I resent having to 'jump through hoops' just to supply myself with a herbal remedy instead of using the NHS, which I could use free.(but which I wouldn't because the pharmacuticals on offer are less effective)
This is just one small example of how EU regulation limits individual liberty.