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Hi all, this is the actual guidance sent out to another group I'm in.

 

Something needs to be done quickly.

 

Barbara

 

 

 

 

Guidance for Industry on

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation

by the Food and Drug Administration

 

DRAFT GUIDANCE

This guidance document is being distributed for comment purposes only.

Comments and suggestions regarding this draft document should be

submitted within 90 days of publication in the Federal Register of

the notice announcing the availability of the draft guidance. Submit

comments to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and

Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD

20852. All comments should be identified with the docket number

listed in the notice of availability that publishes in the Federal

Register.

For questions regarding this draft document, contact (CBER) Sheryl

Lard-Whiteford at 301-827-0379, (CDER) Daniel Nguyen at 301-827-8971,

(CDRH) Ted Stevens at 301-594-1184, or (CFSAN) Wayne Amchin at 301-

827-6739.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Food and Drug Administration

December 2006

Guidance for Industry:

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation

by the Food and Drug Administration

Additional copies are available from:

Office of Communication, Training, and Manufacturers Assistance (HFM-

40)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

Food and Drug Administration

1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 200N

Rockville, MD 20852-1448

Phone: 800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800

Internet: http://www.fda.gov/cber/guidelines.htm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Food and Drug Administration

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER)

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)

Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)

Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN)

December 2006

2

Table of Contents

I. Why Are We Issuing This Guidance?............ 1

II. What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)?... 2

A. What Are " Biologically Based Practices? " ....... 3

B. What Is " Energy Medicine? " .............. 4

C. What Are " Manipulative and Body-Based Practices? " .... 5

D. What Is " Mind-Body Medicine? " ........... 5

E. What Are " Whole Medical Systems? " ......... 6

III. How Do CAM Domains Relate to Products That We Regulate?. 7

IV. What FDA Authority Might Apply to CAM Products?...... 7

A. What Statutory Definitions Might

Apply?.............................. 7

1. " Drug " and " New Drug " .............. 7

2. " Device " .................. 8

3. " Food " .................... 9

4. " Food Additive " ............... 10

5. " Dietary Supplement " ............. . 10

6. " Cosmetic " ................. 12

7. " Biological Product? " ............. 13

V. Whom Do You Contact for More

Information?........................... 13

3

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation

by the Food and Drug Administration1

This draft guidance, when finalized, will represent the Food and Drug

Administration's (FDA's) current thinking on this topic. It does not

create or confer any rights for or on any person and does not operate

to bind FDA or the public. You can use an alternative approach if it

satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and

regulations. If you want to discuss an alternative approach, contact

the FDA staff responsible for implementing this guidance. If you

cannot identify the appropriate FDA staff, call the appropriate

number listed on the title page of this guidance.

I. Why Are We Issuing This Guidance?

The term " complementary and alternative medicine " (CAM) encompasses a

wide array of health care practices, products, and therapies that are

distinct from practices, products, and therapies used

in " conventional " or " allopathic " medicine. Some forms of CAM, such

as traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, have been

practiced for centuries, whereas others, such as electrotherapy, are

more recent in origin.

In the United States, the practice of CAM has risen dramatically in

recent years. In 1992, Congress established the Office of

Unconventional Therapies, which later became the Office of

Alternative Medicine (OAM), to explore " unconventional medical

practices. " In 1998, OAM became the National Center for Complementary

and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). NCCAM is a center within the

National Institutes of Health. The Institute of Medicine, in its book

entitled, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United

States, stated that more than one-third of American adults reported

using some form of CAM and that visits to CAM providers each year

exceed those to primary care physicians.2

As the practice of CAM has increased in the United States, the Food

and Drug Administration ( " FDA " , " we " ) has seen increased confusion as

to whether certain products used in CAM (which, for convenience, we

will refer to as " CAM products " ) are subject to regulation under the

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act ( " the Act " ) or Public Health

Service Act ( " PHS Act " ). We have also seen an increase in the number

of CAM products imported into the United States. Therefore, we are

providing guidance as

1 This guidance was prepared by the Office of Policy and Planning,

Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, with

assistance from the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the

Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Center for Devices and

Radiological Health, and the Center for Food Safety and Applied

Nutrition.

2 See Institute of Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine

in the United States, pages 34-35 (2005).

1

to when a CAM product is subject to the Act or the PHS Act.3 This

guidance makes two fundamental points:

! First, depending on the CAM therapy or practice, a product used in

a CAM therapy or practice may be subject to regulation as a

biological product, cosmetic, drug, device, or food (including food

additives and dietary supplements) under the Act or the PHS Act. For

example, the PHS Act defines " biological product, " and the Act

defines (among other things):

o Cosmetic;

o Device;

o Dietary supplement;

o Drug, as well as " new drug " and " new animal drug; "

o Food; and

o Food additive.

These statutory definitions cover some CAM products.

! Second, neither the Act nor the PHS Act exempts CAM products from

regulation. This means, for example, if a person decides to produce

and sell raw vegetable juice for use in juice therapy to promote

optimal health, that product is a food subject to the requirements

for foods in the Act and FDA regulations, including the hazard

analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system requirements for

juices in 21 CFR part 120. If the juice therapy is intended for use

as part of a disease treatment regimen instead of for the general

wellness, the vegetable juice would also be subject to regulation as

a drug under the Act.

We explain these two points in greater detail later in this document.

II. What Is Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)?

NCCAM defines CAM as " a group of diverse medical and health care

systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to

be part of conventional medicine. " 4 It interprets " complementary "

medicine as being used together with conventional medicine,

whereas " alternative " medicine is used in place of conventional

medicine.

NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into four categories or " domains. "

These are:

! Biologically-based practices;

! Energy therapies;

3 When this guidance mentions a particular CAM therapy, practice, or

product, it does so in order to provide background information or to

serve as an example or illustration; any mention of a particular CAM

therapy, practice, or product should not be construed as expressing

FDA's support for or endorsement of that particular CAM therapy,

practice, or product or, unless specified otherwise, as an agency

determination that a particular product is safe and effective for its

intended uses or is safe for use.

4 See NCCAM, " Get the FACTS - What Is Complementary and Alternative

Medicine (CAM)? " available at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam

(accessed on November 22, 2005).

2

! Manipulative and body-based methods; and

! Mind-body medicine.

NCCAM once had a fifth domain, " Alternative medical systems, " but now

considers " alternative medical systems " (now known as " whole medical

systems " ) to be a separate category rather than another domain

because alternative medical systems use practices from the four

domains listed above. For purposes of this guidance, we adopt the

same domains and " whole medical systems " category that NCCAM uses.

A. What Are " Biologically Based Practices? "

According to NCCAM, the domain called " biologically based practices "

includes, but is not limited to, botanicals, animal-derived extracts,

vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, prebiotics5

and probiotics,6 whole diets, and " functional foods " .7

Many biologically-based products within this domain are subject to

statutory and regulatory requirements under the Act or the PHS Act.

The intended use of a product plays a central role in how it is

regulated. For example:

! Botanical products, depending on the circumstances, may be

regulated as drugs, cosmetics, dietary supplements, or foods.8 All

four types of

5 Prebiotics have been defined as nondigestible food ingredients that

beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth

and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon

(see Gibson, G.R. and Roberfroid, M.B., " Dietary Modulation of the

Human Colonic Microbiota: Introducing the Concept of Prebiotics, "

Journal of Nutrition, 125: 1401-1412 (1995)). Oligosaccharides are

commonly used as prebiotics.

6 " Probiotics " have been defined as live microbial food supplements

which beneficially affect the host animal by improving its intestinal

microbial balance (see Fuller, R., " Probiotics in Man and Animals, "

Journal of Applied Bacteriology, 66: 365-378 (1989)) and as live

microorganisms which, when consumed in adequate amounts of food,

confer a health benefit on the host (see Food and Agriculture

Organization and World Health Organization, " Health and Nutritional

Properties of Probiotics in Food including Powder Milk with Live

Lactic Acid Bacteria " (1-4 October 2001)). For purposes of this

document, we will consider probiotics to refer to whole, live

microorganisms that are ingested with the intention of providing a

health benefit (such as supporting digestion and nutrient adsorption

in the intestine). Our Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition,

simply refers to such bacteria as " live microorganisms. "

" Probiotics " are not defined as a regulatory product category under

the Act or the PHS Act, and products that may be considered to

be " probiotics " may be foods or drugs under the Act, depending on the

intended use of the product.

7 See NCCAM, " BACKGROUNDER: Biologically Based Practices: An

Overview " (October 2004), at page 1 (available at

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/biobasedprac.pdf) (accessed

on November 22, 2005)). NCCAM interprets " functional foods "

as " components of the usual diet that may have biologically active

components (e.g., polyphenols, phytoestrogens, fish oils,

carotenoids) that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition "

(id. at page 3). However, " functional foods " are not defined as a

regulatory product category, and products that NCCAM would interpret

to be " functional foods " would either be foods or drugs to FDA,

depending on the claims associated with the product.

8 Although dietary supplements are a type of food (see section 201

(ff) of the Act (last sentence)), for ease of reference, we will use

the term " food " to refer to foods other than dietary supplements

(e.g., conventional foods, food additives, or GRAS substances

intended for use in food) throughout the remainder of this guidance.

We may discuss specific types of " foods, " such as " food additives, "

separately

3

products are subject to the Act. For example, a botanical product

intended for use in treating a disease would generally be regulated

as a drug; a botanical product taken by mouth, labeled as a dietary

supplement, and intended for use to affect the structure or function

of the body would generally be regulated as a dietary supplement; a

raw or dried botanical intended for use as an ingredient to flavor

food would generally be regulated as a food or as a food additive,

depending on whether the botanical was generally recognized as safe

for its intended use in food; and a lotion containing botanical

ingredients and intended for use in moisturizing the skin would

generally be regulated as a cosmetic.

! Probiotics may be regulated as dietary supplements, foods, or drugs

under the Act, depending on the product's intended use. Other factors

may also affect the classification of the product, e.g., whether the

product contains a " dietary ingredient " as defined in section 201(ff)

(1) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(ff)(1)), whether it is represented as a

conventional food or as a meal replacement (see section 201(ff)(2)(B)

of the Act), and, for probiotics used as ingredients in a

conventional food, whether the ingredient is generally recognized as

safe for its intended use (see section 201(s) of the Act (21 U.S.C.

321(s)). In addition to any requirements that apply based on the

product's classification under the Act, probiotics may also be

subject to the PHS Act's provisions concerning the prevention of

communicable disease, due to potential disease-causing microorganisms

that might be contained in such products. Finally, if a probiotic is

a drug under the Act, it may be subject to regulation as a biological

product under the PHS Act as well.

! Products that NCCAM would consider to be " functional foods " may be

subject to FDA regulation as foods, dietary supplements, or drugs

under the Act. As with botanicals and probiotics, the classification

of a " functional food " under the Act is based primarily on the

product's intended use and may also involve other factors, depending

on the elements of the statutory definition of a particular product

category.

B. What Is " Energy Medicine? "

NCCAM considers energy medicine to involve energy fields of two types:

! Veritable energy fields, which can be measured and use either

mechanical vibrations (such as sound) or electromagnetic forces,

including visible light, magnetism, monochromatic radiation (such as

laser light), and other light rays; and

! Putative energy fields (or biofields) that have defied measurement

to date by reproducible methods. According to NCCAM, therapies

involving putative energy fields " are based on the concept that human

beings are

to explain additional statutory or regulatory requirements or

concepts, but those products are still " foods " under the Act. 4

infused with a subtle form of energy " and therapists " claim that they

work with this subtle energy, see it with their own eyes, and use it

to effect changes in the physical body and influence health. " 9

In a sense, " conventional " medicine already uses various forms

of " energy " medicine. For example, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

device uses electromagnetic waves to create images of internal body

organs and tissues. As another example, an ultrasound machine uses

sound waves to create images of body organs, tissues, and fetuses.

Given their intended uses, we regulate these products as medical

devices under the Act.

CAM products that use veritable energy fields in the diagnosis of

disease or other conditions or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or

prevention of disease in man or animals or to affect the structure or

any function of the body of man or animals may be medical devices

under the Act.10 Additionally, if the product is electronic and emits

radiation, it may be subject to additional requirements to ensure

that there is no unnecessary exposure of people to radiation.

CAM products that use putative energy fields in the diagnosis of

disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment,

or prevention of disease in man or animals may be medical devices

under the Act. For example, we regulate acupuncture needles as " class

II " medical devices.11

C. What Are " Manipulative and Body-Based Practices? "

According to NCCAM:

Under the umbrella of manipulative and body-based practices is a

heterogeneous group of CAM interventions and therapies. These include

chiropractic and osteopathic manipulation, massage therapy, Tui Na,

reflexology, rolfing, Brown technique, Trager bodywork, Alexander

technique, Feldenkrais method, and a host of others..

Manipulative and body-based practices focus primarily on the

structures and systems of the body, including the bones and joints,

the soft tissues, and the circulatory and lymphatic systems..12

To the extent that manipulative and body-based practices involve

practitioners physically manipulating a patient's body, without using

tools or machines, we do not

9 See NCCAM, " BACKGROUNDER - Energy Medicine: An Overview (August

2005), at page 1 (available at

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/energymed.pdf) (accessed on

November 22, 2005).

10 See section 201(h)(2) and (h)(3) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(h)(2)

and (h)(3)) (definition of " device " ).

11 See 21 CFR 880.5580.

12 See NCCAM, " BACKGROUNDER: Manipulative and Body-Based Practices:

An Overview " (December 2004), at page 1 (available at

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/manipulative.pdf) (accessed

on November 22, 2005).

5

believe that such practices are subject to regulation under the Act

or the PHS Act. If, however, the manipulative and body-based

practices involve the use of equipment (such as massage devices) or

the application of a product (such as a lotion, cream, or oil) to the

skin or other parts of the body, those products may be subject to

regulation under the Act, depending on the nature of the product and

its intended use..

D. What Is " Mind-Body Medicine? "

NCCAM describes mind-body medicine as focusing on " the interactions

among the brain, mind, body, and behavior, and the powerful ways in

which emotional, mental, social, spiritual, and behavioral factors

can directly affect health. " 13 It states that mind-body

medicine " typically focuses on intervention strategies that are

thought to promote health, such as relaxation, hypnosis, visual

imagery, meditation, yoga, biofeedback, tai chi, qi gong, cognitive-

behavioral therapies, group support, autogenic training, and

spirituality. " 14

In general, CAM practices in this domain would not be subject to our

jurisdiction under the Act or the PHS Act. As with the manipulative

and body-based practices domain, however, any equipment or other

products used as part of the practice of mind-body medicine may be

subject to FDA regulation, depending on the nature of the product and

its intended use. For example, biofeedback machines intended to help

a patient learn to affect body functions, such as muscle activity,

are regulated as class II devices.15

E. What Are " Whole Medical Systems? "

NCCAM describes whole medical systems as involving " complete systems

of theory and practice that have evolved independently from or

parallel to allopathic (conventional) medicine. " 16 These may reflect

individual cultural systems, such as traditional Chinese medicine and

Ayurvedic medicine. Some elements common to whole medical systems are

a belief that the body has the power to heal itself, and that healing

may involve techniques that use the mind, body, and spirit.

Although it is unlikely that a whole medical system itself would be

subject to regulation under the Act or the PHS Act, products used as

components of whole medical systems may be subject to FDA regulation

for the reasons described above.

13 See NCCAM, " BACKGROUNDER: Mind-Body Medicine: An Overview " (August

2005), at page 1 (available at

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/mindbody.pdf) (accessed on

November 22, 2005).

14 Id.

15 See 21 CFR 882.5050.

16 See NCCAM, " BACKGROUNDER: Whole Medical Systems: An Overview "

(October 2004), at page 1 (available at

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/wholemed.pdf) (accessed on

November 22, 2005).

6

III. How Do CAM Domains Relate to Products That We Regulate?

Given the vast array of CAM products, practices, and therapies, it is

impractical for us to describe in detail how each one might be

subject to regulation under the Act or the PHS Act. Our intent, in

part IV of this document, is two-fold:

! To indicate which CAM domains might be subject to regulation under

the Act or the PHS Act; and

! To show that neither the Act nor the PHS Act contains any exemption

for CAM products. In other words, if a product meets the statutory

definition of drug, device, biological product, food, etc., it will

be subject to regulation under the Act and/or the PHS Act.

IV. What FDA Authority Might Apply to CAM Products?

A. What Statutory Definitions Might Apply?

To understand how the Act or the PHS Act might apply to CAM products,

we begin by understanding the Act's statutory definitions or, in the

case of the PHS Act, our authority regarding biological products.

1. " Drug " and " New Drug "

Section 201(g)(1) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)) defines the

term " drug, " in relevant part, to mean:

(A) articles recognized in the official United States Pharmacopeia,

official Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States, or official

National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; and (B)

articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation,

treatment, or prevention of disease in man or other animals; and ©

articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any

function of the body of man or other animals; and (D) articles

intended for use as a component of any articles specified in clause

(A), (B), or ©.

Section 201(p) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(p)) defines the term " new

drug " to mean:

(1) Any drug (except a new animal drug or an animal feed bearing or

containing a new animal drug) the composition of which is such that

the drug is not generally recognized, among experts qualified by

scientific training and experience to evaluate the safety and

effectiveness of drugs, as safe and effective17 for use under the

conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in

17 In Weinberger v. Hynson, Westcott and Dunning, 93 S.Ct. 2469, 2483

(1973), the Supreme Court stated that " general recognition " of

effectiveness " requires at least `substantial evidence' of

effectiveness for approval " of a new drug application (NDA). (An NDA

is the marketing application for a new drug.) 7

the labeling thereof, except that such a drug not so recognized shall

not be deemed to be a " new drug " if at any time prior to the

enactment of this Act, it was subject to the Food and Drugs Act of

June 30, 1906, as amended, and if at such time its labeling contained

the same representations concerning the conditions of use; or

(2) Any drug (except a new animal drug or an animal feed bearing or

containing a new animal drug) the composition of which is such that

such drug, as a result of investigations to determine its safety and

effectiveness for use under such conditions, has become so

recognized, but which has not, otherwise than in such investigations,

been used to a material extent or for a material time under such

conditions.

To illustrate how these definitions might apply, consider an herbal

product that is intended to treat arthritis in humans. The herbal

product, which would be a " biologically based practice " insofar as

CAM domains are concerned, would be a " drug " under section 201(g)(1)

(B) of the Act because it is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure,

mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease (arthritis) in man.

The same herbal product would also be a " new drug " under section 201

(p)(1) of the Act unless it is generally recognized, among experts

qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate the

safety and effectiveness of drugs, as safe and effective for use

under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the

labeling. " New drug " status triggers the Act's requirements for

premarket review and approval by FDA.18

A detailed discussion of the Act's drug provisions is beyond the

scope of this guidance document. Note, however, that the Act imposes

certain requirements (including requirements pertaining to

establishment registration and product listing, pre-market approval,

labeling, postmarket reporting, and good manufacturing practices) on

those who manufacture and distribute drugs. The Act and our drug

regulations can be found at our website at

http://www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

2. " Device "

In general, section 201(h) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(h)) defines the

term " device " as:

an instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant,

in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any

component, part, or accessory which is -

Section 505(d) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 355(d)) defines " substantial

evidence " as " evidence consisting of adequate and well-controlled

investigations, including clinical investigations conducted by

experts qualified by scientific training and experience to evaluate

the effectiveness of the drug involved, on the basis of which it

could fairly and responsibly be concluded by such experts that the

drug will have the effect it purports or is represented to have under

the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the

labeling or proposed labeling thereof. " Thus, " general recognition "

is a high standard.

18 Under section 505(a) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 355(a)), " No person

shall introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce

any new drug, unless an approval of an application filed pursuant to

[section 505(b) or 505(j) of the Act] is effective with respect to

such drug. "

8

(1) recognized in the official National Formulary, or the United

States Pharmacopeia, or any supplement to them,

(2) intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions,

or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in

man or other animals, or

(3) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of

man or other animals, and

which does not achieve its primary intended purposes through chemical

action within or on the body of man or other animals, and which is

not dependent upon being metabolized for the achievement of its

primary intended purposes.

To illustrate how a CAM product might be a " device " under the Act,

acupuncture is a CAM therapy that seeks to stimulate energy pathways

( " meridians " ) by puncturing, pressing, heating, using electrical

current, or using herbal medicines. Fine needles are often used, and

these acupuncture needles are " devices " under section 201(h) of the

Act because they are intended for use in the cure, mitigation,

treatment, or prevention of disease in man or are intended to affect

the structure or function of the body of man. We regulate acupuncture

needles (see 21 CFR 880.5580), but not the practice of acupuncture

itself.

A detailed discussion of the Act's device provisions is beyond the

scope of this guidance document. Note, however, that the Act

establishes classifications for devices (class I, II, or III) that

affect how they are regulated. The Act also imposes certain

requirements on those who manufacture devices (including requirements

pertaining to establishment registration and product listing, pre-

market review, labeling, postmarket reporting, and good manufacturing

practices). Certain requirements also apply to device distributors.

The Act and our device regulations can be found at our website at

www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

3. " Food "

Section 201(f) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(f)) defines the term " food "

to mean " articles used for food or drink for man or other animals, "

chewing gum, and articles used for components of any such article.

To illustrate how a CAM practice might involve " foods, " juice therapy

uses juice made from vegetables and fruits. Absent any claims that

would make the juice subject to the drug definition, the juice would

be a " food " under section 201(f) of the Act because it is an article

used for food or drink for man.

A detailed discussion of the Act's food provisions is beyond the

scope of this guidance document. However, anyone who intends to

market CAM products that might be subject to regulation under these

provisions should familiarize himself/herself with the Act's

requirements for foods, particularly with respect to safety and

labeling. The Act and our food regulations can be found at our

website at www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

9

4. " Food Additive "

Section 201(s) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(s)) defines the term " food

additive " to mean, in part, " any substance the intended use of which

results or may reasonably be expected to result, directly or

indirectly, in its becoming a component or otherwise affecting the

characteristics of any food..if such substance is not generally

recognized, among experts qualified by scientific training and

experience to evaluate its safety, as having been adequately shown

through scientific procedures (or, in the case of a substance used in

food prior to January 1, 1958, through either scientific procedures

or experience based on common use in food) to be safe under the

conditions of its intended use.. " 19

To illustrate how a CAM product might involve " food additives " under

section 201(s) of the Act, some CAM practices involve dietary

modifications where substances such as botanicals or enzymes are

added to foods in the diet. If a manufacturer adds such a substance

to a food, the substance may fall within the " food additive "

definition at section 201(s) of the Act. A food additive is subject

to premarket approval by FDA under section 409 of the Act (21 U.S.C.

348). Food additives that we have not approved or that do not comply

with applicable FDA regulations prescribing safe conditions of use

are deemed to be unsafe under section 409(a) of the Act, and foods

that contain such additives are adulterated under section 402(a)(2)

© of the Act (21 U.S.C. 342(a)(2)©). The Act provides that a

substance is exempt from the definition of a food additive and thus,

from pre-market approval, if, among other reasons, it is generally

recognized as safe (GRAS) by qualified experts under the conditions

of intended use. Whether a substance added to a food is considered to

be a food additive or is GRAS, any claims associating the substance

with the reduction of a disease risk are " health claims " (defined in

21 CFR 101.14(a)(1)) that require premarket review by FDA.20

A detailed discussion of the Act's food additive provisions is beyond

the scope of this guidance document. However, anyone intending to

market CAM products that are or contain substances that might be

subject to regulation as food additives should familiarize

himself/herself with the Act's food additive requirements. The Act

and our food additive regulations can be found at our website at

www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

5. " Dietary Supplement "

Section 201(ff) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 321(ff)) defines the

term " dietary supplement " as follows:

The term " dietary supplement " -

19 The statutory definition of " food additive " exempts certain

substances, such as pesticide chemical residues in or on a raw

agricultural commodity or processed food, pesticide chemicals, color

additives, dietary ingredients in or intended for use in a dietary

supplement (as defined in section 201(ff) of the Act), and new animal

drugs.

20 See 21 CFR 101.70.

10

(1) means a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the

diet that bears or contains one or more of the following dietary

ingredients:

(A) a vitamin;

(B) a mineral;

© an herb or other botanical;

(D) an amino acid;

(E) a dietary substance for use by man to supplement the diet by

increasing the total dietary intake; or

(F) a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination

of any ingredient described in clause (A), (B), ©, (D), or (E);

(2) means a product that

(A) (i) is intended for ingestion in a form described in section 411

©(1)(B)(i); or

(ii) complies with section 411©(1)(B)(ii);

(B) is not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole

item of a meal or the diet; and

© is labeled as a dietary supplement; and

(3) does--

(A) include an article that is approved as a new drug under section

505 or licensed as a biologic under section 351 of the Public Health

Service Act (42 U.S.C. 262) and was, prior to such approval,

certification, or license, marketed as a dietary supplement or as a

food unless the Secretary has issued a regulation, after notice and

comment, finding that the article, when used as or in a dietary

supplement under the conditions of use and dosages set forth in the

labeling for such dietary supplement, is unlawful under section 402

(f); and

(B) does not include-

(i) an article that is approved as a new drug under section 505,

certified as an antibiotic under section 507, or licensed as a

biologic under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act (42

U.S.C. 262), or

(ii) an article authorized for investigation as a new drug,

antibiotic, or biological for which substantial clinical

investigations have been instituted and for which the existence of

such investigations has been made public,

which was not before such approval, certification, licensing, or

authorization marketed as a dietary supplement or as a food unless

the Secretary, in the Secretary's discretion, has issued a

regulation, under notice and comment, finding that the article would

be lawful under this Act.

Except for purposes of section 201(g) [of the Act], a dietary

supplement shall be deemed to be a food within the meaning of this

Act.

To illustrate how a CAM product might be a " dietary supplement " under

section 201(ff) of the Act, consider botanical products used in

naturopathy. (Naturopathy is a CAM whole medical system that views

disease as a manifestation of alterations in the

11

processes by which the body heals itself.21) For example,

naturopathic cranberry tablets might be labeled for use to maintain

the health of the urinary tract. In this example, the cranberry

tablets generally would be regulated as " dietary supplements " under

section 201(ff)(1) of the Act if they were labeled for use

to " maintain the health of the urinary tract " rather than " prevent

urinary tract infections. " The cranberry tablets would be regulated

as " drugs " under section 201(g) of the Act if they were labeled for

use to " treat urinary tract infections " even if they were labeled as

dietary supplements.

A detailed discussion of the Act's dietary supplement provisions is

beyond the scope of this guidance document. However, anyone intending

to market CAM products that might be subject to regulation as a

dietary supplement should familiarize himself/herself with the Act's

dietary supplement requirements, particularly with respect to safety

and labeling. The Act and our dietary supplement regulations can be

found at our website at www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

6. " Cosmetic "

Section 201(i) of the Act defines the term " cosmetic " to mean " (1)

articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on,

introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body or any part

thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or

altering the appearance, and (2) articles intended for use as a

component of any such articles; except that such term shall not

include soap. "

It is possible that certain products used in conjunction with CAM

practices may be " cosmetics " under the Act. For example, if a CAM

practice involves massage with a moisturizer, the moisturizer could

be a " cosmetic " to the extent that it is " rubbed, poured, sprinkled,

or sprayed on " the body for beautification or appearance-altering

purposes. However, if the moisturizer's intended use is also for the

diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or

to affect the structure or any function of the body, then it may also

be subject to regulation as a drug. Other examples of drug/cosmetic

combinations are deodorants that are also antiperspirants,

moisturizers and makeup marketed with sun-protection claims, and

shampoos that also treat dandruff.

The Act does not require premarket approval for cosmetics, but it

does prohibit the marketing of adulterated or misbranded cosmetics in

interstate commerce. Anyone intending to market CAM products that

might be subject to regulation as cosmetics should familiarize

himself/herself with the safety and labeling requirements for these

products in the Act and our regulations. The Act and our cosmetic

regulations can be found at our website at www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

21 See NCCAM, " BACKGROUNDER: Whole Medical Systems: An Overview "

(October 2004) at pages 3-4.

12

7. " Biological Product "

Section 351(a)(1) of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 262(a)(1)) states, in

part, that no person " shall introduce or deliver for introduction

into interstate commerce any biological product " unless that product

has an effective license and its package is plainly marked with the

product's proper name, the name, address, and applicable license

number of the biological product's manufacturer, and the product's

expiration date. Section 351(a)(2) of the PHS Act gives us the

authority to establish requirements for the approval, suspension, and

revocation of biological product licenses.

Section 351(i) of the PHS Act defines " biological product " as " a

virus, therapeutic serum, toxin, antitoxin, vaccine, blood, blood

component or derivative, allergenic product, or analogous product, or

arsphenamine or derivative of arsphenamine (or any other trivalent

organic arsenic compound), applicable to the prevention, treatment,

or cure of a disease or condition in human beings. " The term " virus "

captures a broad spectrum of microorganisms that cause an infectious

disease and includes, but is not limited to, filterable viruses,

bacteria, rickettsia, fungi, and protozoa (see 21 CFR 600.3(h)(1)).

It is conceivable that some " biologically based practices " (as

defined by NCCAM) could involve the use of " biological products " as

defined by section 351(i) of the PHS Act. For example, the bacteria

used in a probiotic product could make the product a " biological

product " subject to the PHS Act.

A detailed discussion of biological product regulation under the PHS

Act is beyond the scope of this guidance document. Note, however,

that in addition to our authority under section 351 of the PHS Act,

section 361 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 264) authorizes us to make and

enforce regulations " to prevent the introduction, transmission, or

spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the

States or possessions, or from one State or possession into any other

State or possession. " If a CAM product manufacturer attempted to use

a live, disease-causing virus as a component of a CAM product, we

could exercise our authority under section 361 of the PHS Act and 21

CFR 1240.30 to take action against the product, in addition to

consider the applicability of section 351 of the PHS Act. The PHS Act

and FDA's regulations for biological products can be found at our

website at www.fda.gov/opacom/laws.

V. Whom Do You Contact For More Information?

For more information about how we regulate drugs, devices, cosmetics,

foods (including food additives and dietary supplements), and

biological products, visit our website at www.fda.gov. We also have

many other guidance documents that present our current thinking on a

particular topic.

For more information about products that we regulate, and how they

might relate to CAM, please contact:

13

! For biological products, the Manufacturers Assistance and Technical

Training Branch, Office of Communication, Training & Manufacturers

Assistance (HFM-40), Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research,

Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD

20852-1448, 1-800-835-4709 or 301-827-1800.

! For cosmetics, the Office of Cosmetics and Colors, Center for Food

Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100

Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, 301-436-1130.

! For devices, the Office of Communication, Education, and Radiation

Programs (HFZ-220), Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Food

and Drug Administration, 1350 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, 1-

800-638-2041 or 301-827-3990.

! For dietary supplements, the Division of Dietary Supplement

Programs (HFS-810), Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and

Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition,

Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College

Park, MD 20740, 301-436-2375.

! For foods and food additives, the Office of Food Additive Safety

(HFS-200), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food And

Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD

20740-3835, 301-436-1200

! For human drugs, the Division of Drug Information (HFD-240), Center

for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 5600

Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-827-4570 or 1-888-463-6332.

You can

-

" D h a r a m " <pran.108

" Kundalini " <Kundaliniyoga >

Wednesday, April 18, 2007 7:21 AM

Kundalini Yoga FDA threatens access to natural care, juices and

even yoga props

 

 

>

> Sat Nam Friends,

> This is really Scary! There is a crisis in health freedom. On April

> 30, 2007 the FDA will close the public comment period on a " Guidance "

> which will classify every alternative practice as medicine so that only

> licensed physicians can carry out the procedure AND vitamins, minerals,

> herbs, juices, etc., will suddenly become " untested drugs " which will be

> forbidden.

> Bad? Real Bad! But public outcry can stop this assault on your health

> and your freedom.

> Spread the word! Tell everyone in your Circle of Influence,

> professionals, alternative practitioners, nutrient and herb companies,

> everyone! Let them know how important their participation is to make

> sure the FDA backs off from this repressive course.

>

> Things that will be regulated out of existence

>

> It is very clear that the FDA is intending to regulate and ultimately

> destroy the entire CAM industry (Complementary and Alternative

> Medicine). Based on the explanations in the FDA's own document, the

> following things are likely to occur:

>

> * All vitamins, nutritional supplements and functional foods will be

> stripped of their structure & function claims, reducing them to

> empty labels where virtually nothing at all is allowed to be stated.

> * Vegetable juice will be regulated as a drug. Raw juice retreats

> will be raided or shut down.

> * Growing and selling common garden herbs will get you arrested as a

> drug dealer.

> * Massage oils and handheld massagers will be regulated as " medical

> devices. "

> * Yoga props, pilates machines and weight machines will be regulated

> as " medical devices " and require FDA approval before being sold or

> used.

> * Raw sprouts and other anti-cancer foods will be regulated as drugs.

> * Bottled water that " treats " dehydration will be regulated as a drug.

> * Massage therapists who use hot rocks as part of their therapy will

> have the ROCKS regulated as medical devices! (It's true. The FDA

> will actually look at a pile of rocks and declare, " Those are

> medical devices! " )

> * Functional foods, supplements, vitamins and homeopathic remedies

> will disappear from store shelves, pending FDA " review. " (The only

> things remaining will be processed junk foods and pharmaceuticals,

> which is exactly what Big Business wants.)

> * Therapeutic tea products, such as green tea, will be outlawed and

> confiscated.

> * Vitamin store owners will be arrested and prosecuted for

> " practicing medicine without a license. "

> * Citizens owning personal inventories of " unapproved drugs "

> (vitamins and herbs) may have their homes raided at gunpoint and

> their inventories confiscated by armed law enforcement agents.

> * The importation of herbs and functional foods from all countries

> may be banned.

>

> Keep in mind that the FDA is the same agency that:

>

> * Wants to label irradiated foods as " pasteurized. "

> * Voted to put the deadly drug Vioxx back on the market after tens

> of thousands of deaths, even after its own manufacturer pulled it

> from pharmacies.

> * Raided a church at gunpoint, confiscating biofeedback machines and

> charging that they were " practicing medicine " by counseling church

> members on issues like depression.

> * Openly allows corrupt, " on the take " experts to vote on new drug

> approvals, even when those experts are taking money from the same

> companies impacted by their votes.

> * Refuses to legalize stevia, the safe, natural herbal sweetener

> that's used virtually everywhere else in the world. The agenda?

> Protect the profits of aspartame and other chemical sweeteners.

> * Openly allows the mass poisoning of the public with cancer-causing

> food additives such as sodium nitrite.

> * Refuses to enforce its own laws regarding unsafe chemical toxins

> in personal care products, allowing perfume and lotion companies

> to continue poisoning the public with cancer-causing chemicals

> that don't even have to be listed on the label, nor proven safe.

> * Ordered the destruction of recipe books that mentioned stevia. (A

> campaign to keep the public ignorant of the herb.)

> * Does everything in its power to protect drug company profits,

> including discrediting herbs, supplements and alternative medicine.

>

> Does anyone honestly believe that this criminal organization has any

> capacity whatsoever to act in the public interest? Even many Senators

> are fed up with the FDA's unprecedented level of corruption and criminal

> behavior.

>

> You don't believe me? Go to

> http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_4803.cfm

>

http://www.dailyscare.com/1236/health-freedom-action-alert-fda-attempting-to-reg\

ulate-supplements-herbs-and-juices-as-drugs

> Video story of the long background/history at

> http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php?page_id=154

> Please share this link with them and urge them to take action:

> http://tinyurl.com/2u7ghc

> Yours in health and freedom,

> Dharam Singh

> Millis, MA

>

>

>

>

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Guest guest

Help me to understand what needs to be done? What are they trying to do?

 

D h a r a m <pran.108 wrote: Thanks Barbara,

The link is

http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/06d-0480-gld0001.pdf

 

Carl and Barbara Sceusa wrote:

 

>Hi all, this is the actual guidance sent out to another group I'm in.

>

>Something needs to be done quickly.

>

>Barbara

>

>

>

>

>

>

 

 

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