Another Attack on Natural Health Freedoms

Last week the FDA began yet another effort to eliminate the availability of natural alternatives to synthetic hormone replacement drugs. As you might expect, it appears that this response is fueled, at least in part, by complaints from Big Pharma. Once again we see the FDA favoring the interests of the corporate pharmaceutical community over the health and welfare of Americans, even thought there has been no proof that bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, when used correctly, is unsafe or harmful. In fact, if we listen to the testimonies of women about symptom relief, just the opposite seems to be true.

This is just the latest episode in our governments attempts to limit the choices we have at our disposal when seeking out natural products, including vitamins, minerals, and non-toxic alternatives to the dangerous drugs the FDA is so fond of. In the article posted below, one telling statement sums up the overall attitude of government officials and many in conventional medicine as well: The FDA encourages patients to use FDA-approved drugs whenever possible. It is clear they would prefer that we not think for ourselves or be proactive in any way about our own wellness, and conveniently forget that their track record in approving safe drugs is less than desirable. The question though is why should we trust their stamp of approval, especially when the trail of evidence is littered with greed, self-serving conflicts of interest, and people who have died from that misplaced trust?


FDA Cracks Down on Custom-Made Hormones

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID
The Associated Press
Wednesday, January 9, 2008; 9:17 PM

WASHINGTON -- Government health officials on Wednesday began cracking down on Internet sales of custom-mixed hormones for menopausal women, a market born when doctors deemed prescription estrogen therapy too risky for many.

But the Food and Drug Administration says these alternative hormone mixes are no safer, and told seven makers to stop selling them.

The FDA said it sent warning letters to the companies saying their claims about the "bio-identical hormone replacement therapy" or BHRT products are not supported by medical evidence and are considered false and misleading.

"We want to assure that Americans receive accurate information about the risks and benefits of drug therapies," Dr. Janet Woodcock, FDA's chief medical officer, said in a statement.

The agency said it is concerned that the claims for safety and effectiveness mislead patients, as well as doctors and other health care professionals.

Compounded drugs are not reviewed by the FDA for safety and effectiveness, and FDA encourages patients to use FDA-approved drugs whenever possible, the agency said.

The warning letters say the pharmacy operations violate federal law by making false and misleading claims about their hormone therapy drugs.

Following a 2002 study that found replacement hormones made by drug companies raised the risk of heart attacks, breast cancer and strokes, many women turned to the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone products sold by compounding pharmacies.

Medical researchers concluded in 2003 that hormone replacement pills should be taken only as a brief treatment to help women weather the worst symptoms of menopause.

The drug company Wyeth later complained to the FDA about the Internet sales of compounded products.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/09/AR2008010902098_pf.html