McCain's Freedom Destroying Bill

[Mango]

We tried not regulating the dietary supplement industry. People died because of it. There were something like 150+ deaths reportedly linked to the dietary supplement ephedra, including pro baseball player Steve Belcher, before the FDA moved to ban the substance, and even after that, the supplement makers fought the ban every step of the way.

There have also been many issues of quality control including cross contamination of supplements (which has actually caused problems for athletes subject to drug testing) and supplements containing far more or far less of a substance than it's marked on the label.

Supplements, just like over the counter medications can be abused just like anything and result in death.

I have no issue with monitoring the packaging of supplements to make sure they contain what they say they do, that it' not loaded with fillers and, if it's an herb, that it be monitored for cross contamination. Also, if an herbal supplement, that the extraction process be verified. Australia has an Agency called The Department of Health and Aging Therapeutic Goods Administration. They specifically monitor this. It's a separate agency from a drug monitoring Agency. Their standards are even higher than our FDA. However, they are not restricting and dictating what supplements people can freely take. There is difference.
From their web site: "The regulatory framework is based on a risk management approach designed to ensure public health and safety, while at the same time freeing industry from any unnecessary regulatory burden."

 

[LuciferSam]

We tried not regulating the dietary supplement industry. People died because of it. There were something like 150+ deaths reportedly linked to the dietary supplement ephedra, including pro baseball player Steve Belcher, before the FDA moved to ban the substance, and even after that, the supplement makers fought the ban every step of the way.

There have also been many issues of quality control including cross contamination of supplements (which has actually caused problems for athletes subject to drug testing) and supplements containing far more or far less of a substance than it's marked on the label.

That's a good example. I remember once at the gym I got me one of those energy powder things, Agent Orange or something like that. Thought it might be nice to have a few extra carbs for an intense workout. So I take more than a couple of scoops and in a few minutes I'm feeling pretty good. A few minutes later I'm feeling kind of wound up so I read the label. Sure enough there are a few warnings on it due to the fact that it contains ephedra derived from the wonderful natural organic herbal ma huang tree. What to do except throw the stuff out and in the meantime enjoy the really nice buzz. I mentioned to the guy the next day that there ought to be more than fine print warnings on this stuff. He said oh no, they wouldn't be allowed to sell it if it wasn't safe.:roll: About a month later they stopped carrying it. A couple of years later it was banned.

 

[Lynnie]

Supplements, just like over the counter medications can be abused just like anything and result in death.

I have no issue with monitoring the packaging of supplements to make sure they contain what they say they do, that it' not loaded with fillers and, if it's an herb, that it be monitored for cross contamination. Also, if an herbal supplement, that the extraction process be verified. Australia has an Agency called The Department of Health and Aging Therapeutic Goods Administration. They specifically monitor this. It's a separate agency from a drug monitoring Agency. Their standards are even higher than our FDA. However, they are not restricting and dictating what supplements people can freely take. There is difference.
From their web site: "The regulatory framework is based on a risk management approach designed to ensure public health and safety, while at the same time freeing industry from any unnecessary regulatory burden."

Yes, one can OD on vitamin A. And, there are other vitamins and minerals you can ingest too much of. But, having the FDA involved? Nah.

We have too much junk on the shelves. I look at the way my family was reared and how they ate and it confirms in me that despite we live in busy cities and/or have busy lifestyles, if we made a concerted effort to adjust our diets, we would get most of the nutrients needed naturally.

 

[scooterbug44]

I don't trust those supplements. What is so wrong with regulating them?

 

[LuciferSam]

The FDA is a corrupt, dysfunctional agency.



LINK

So, is this agency you want telling you you can't take your fish oil now and need a prescription for it?

It's the snake oil I'm most concerned about.

 

[Miss Critter]

I don't trust those supplements. What is so wrong with regulating them?

Over 38,000 hits for "FDA revolving door Big Pharma" is what's wrong. The cozy relationship between Big Pharma and the FDA is well-documented and not just by the wacko health nuts. Executives leave private companies for the FDA, make rules regarding (favoring) their former employers, then return to private sector at heftier salaries as thanks. Not a bad gig.

 

[scooterbug44]

Well, then stop that. Don't just create a huge area of totally unregulated items that will harm people.

 

[LuciferSam]

Well, then stop that. Don't just create a huge area of totally unregulated items that will harm people.

Or just as bad won't help them at all, create a sense of false hope, and keep them from pursuing treatments that might actually be effective.

 

[Susan Horn]

Or just as bad won't help them at all, create a sense of false hope, and keep them from pursuing treatments that might actually be effective.

Lots of FDA approved treatments do just that -- give false hope and keep folks from pursuing effective treatments, not to mention causing harm.

 

[LuciferSam]

Lots of FDA approved treatments do just that -- give false hope and keep folks from pursuing effective treatments, not to mention causing harm.

Most drug ads for FDA approved drugs are quite honest about the risks. It seems like 60% of the ads are devoted to warnings. You won't see that with an enzyte commercial. I'll go with evil corporate, capitalistic science over folklore and mythology if I had to choose between two evils.