Fwd: Support DSHEA full implementation S.1538 Substitute Safety Bill

[Guest guest]

Subj: pass this along and go to http://capwiz.com/nnfa/mail/compose/

10/14/2003 9:09:21 AM Eastern Standard Time

Ann Fonfa

 

THIS IS THE LETTER TO BE SENT, GO TO THE WEBSITE for easy sending:

 

http://capwiz.com/nnfa/mail/compose/

 

As your constituent, I urge you to support a very important bill from

Senators Tom Harkin and Orrin Hatch, the DSHEA Full Implementation and

Enforcement

Act of 2003 (S. 1538).

 

This bill will give the Food and Drug Administration the resources it needs

to enforce the current law, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of

1994.

 

Even though the two most recent FDA commissioners have said that they have

the power to ensure dietary supplements are safe for American consumers, this

agency has fallen short when it comes to enforcement.

 

This bill will eliminate the FDA's excuse that it doesn't have enough staff

or money to uphold the law. It will also hold the FDA accountable by requiring

the agency to file annual reports to Congress about how DSHEA is being

implemented.

 

In addition, the Harkin/Hatch bill would also provide much-needed funding for

research and consumer education to the National Institute of Health's Office

of Dietary Supplements.

 

Please support Senators Harkin and Hatch in their efforts to pass this bill

and please also consider becoming a co-sponsor.

 

As much as I would like you to support S. 1538, I urge you to oppose S. 722,

the so-called Dietary Supplement " Safety " Act, introduced by Senator Richard

Durbin. Despite its title, this bill allows no more consumer protection than

DSHEA already provides.

 

It does, however, contain new and discretionary enforcement powers that would

significantly undermine many of the freedoms that American consumers of

dietary supplements - like myself - hold dear.

 

I am deeply concerned that S. 722 would subject nearly all vitamins,

minerals, herbal products and other supplements to a level of scrutiny that is

both

unwarranted and unnecessary.

 

Products that have been used safely and beneficially for hundreds - and in

some cases, thousands - of years would be subject to clinical evaluation using

standards that are at the complete discretion of the FDA.

 

Instead of changing a good law, Congress should instead help the FDA to do a

better job enforcing it by providing the resources the agency needs to make

full use of its more-than-adequate authority as granted by DSHEA.

 

In closing, I ask you support the S. 1538 and help the FDA fully utilize

DSHEA. I also ask that you oppose the extreme and unnecessary legislation

proposed

by Senator Durbin, S. 722.

 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this important matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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