FDA Proposal Threatens to Eliminate Access to Affordable Dietary Supplements
from an article by Elizabeth Brennon on Aug 19, 2011
Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have proposed new draft guidance for the dietary supplement industry. This act could threaten consumers’ right to access affordable, high-quality and safe dietary supplements. Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Byron J. Richards encourages consumers to take action now to protect their access to nutritional supplements.
The FDA’s new draft guidance redefines the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and attempts to do the following: 1) remarket high-quality dietary supplements as prescription drugs, 2) limit access to high-quality dietary supplements and 3) increase costs for high-quality dietary supplements.
In therapeutic doses, DHA omega-3 fish oil, for example, has been proven to lower triglyceride levels. The pharmaceutical industry realizes dietary supplements can deliver substantial results—and without drugs’ side effects. DHA is one of the first nutrients which the FDA plans to control. In the case of DHA, pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, developed a prescription drug version of DHA fish oil which sells for approximately $189 per one-month supply. In the competitive dietary supplement marketplace, however, the equivalent, therapeutic amount of superior molecularly-distilled DHA sells for $35 per one-month supply.
Richards, Founder of Wellness Resources, commented on the gravity of the situation. “It is not just DHA, curcumin and resveratrol that are slated for pharmaceutical industry takeover, hundreds of other nutrients and herbs are at risk. The unfortunate reality is that if the FDA is allowed to carry out their strategy, thousands of products currently on the market are likely to be deemed ‘misbranded drugs’ and forced off the market under the FDA’s campaign to wipe out an industry, and ultimately, gain even greater power and profit.â€
The FDA consumer comment period for this new dietary supplement draft guidance ends October 1, 2011. Visit the TAKE ACTION page for access to affordable, effective dietary supplements. For more information, read Byron J. Richards’ articles, “Senator Durbin & the FDA Viciously Attack Dietary Supplements†and “The FDA’s Scheme to Reclassify Nutrients as Drugs.â€
Email This Article