Fwd: Your Alternative Health Newsletter--Special Edition... URGENT

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Wed, 16 Jul 2003 18:00:32 -0700

Your Alternative Health Newsletter--Special Edition... URGENT

" Frank Grazian "

 

*****ALTERNATIVE HEALTH NEWS ONLINE—Special Edition*****

 

Named by Newsweek as its favorite alternative medicine site

and by Forbes as a " Best of the Web "

 

http://www.altmedicine.com

 

Frank Grazian, Editor & Publisher

07/16/2003

Circulation: 20,030 rs

Removal instructions appear at end of newsletter.

 

Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) has introduced a bill (S.722) titled the

" Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2003 " that would amend the Federal Food

Drug and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and possibly shake the foundation of the

Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). The bill may be voted

on this week.

 

The bill would not only require manufacturers to report adverse

events to the federal government, but also pre-market approval for dietary

supplements carrying stimulants. As written, the bill would also

categorize products promoting muscle growth as anabolic steroids rather

than dietary supplements.

 

According to critics, this bill 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 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.

 

Under this new legislation, the FDA has complete discretion to make

this determination, regardless of whether the product was used under

conditions cautioned against by the manufacturer on the label.

 

If you are concerned that your rights are being eroded, you might

want to call your Senators and tell them " Don't take away my right to use

safe, affordable, health promoting products! Oppose any amendment that

limits my access to vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary

supplements. "

 

Your Senator is on the committee that oversees funding bills for the

Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When that committee meets THIS WEEK,

it may consider adding the amendment by Sen. Richard Durbin.

 

A possible action: Call your Senators, who are members of the

Committee on Appropriations, and tell them to reject any amendment that

would limit your access to safe, effective and affordable dietary

supplements.

 

See below for what to do and talking points to help you with your

call.

 

HERE'S WHAT TO DO:

1) Forward this e-mail to 10 people you know who live in your state or the

states of members of this committee.

 

2) Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or committee members

directly at the numbers listed below.

 

3) Ask for your Senator by name and the switchboard operator will patch

you through to his/her office. When you reach your Senator's office, ask

to leave a message for the Senator.

 

5) Use the talking points below or deliver a personal message. Be sure to

insist on leaving your name and address and ask for a letter back. As a

constituent, you deserve to know how your Senator acts on your request.

 

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN SAY:

I'm calling to ask the Senator to vote against any amendment to the

appropriations bill that will limit my right to use safe, affordable,

health-promoting dietary supplements.

 

I believe more needs to be done to ensure that:

 

The Food and Drug Administration enforces the current law

Government doesn't limit the freedom of choice of American consumers when

it comes to their health. Safe, effective and affordable dietary

supplements are not unfairly singled out

 

I would like the Senator to write me back to tell me how he/she voted on

any dietary supplement amendment to the appropriations bill. Thank you.

 

Thanks for making the call and doing your part!

 

 

U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

 

Richard C. Shelby ®, Alabama

(202) 224-5744

 

Ted Stevens, Chairman ®, Alaska

(202) 224-3004

 

Dianne Feinstein (D), California

(202) 224-3841

 

Ben Nighthorse Campbell ®, Colorado

(202) 224-5852

 

Daniel K. Inouye (D), Hawaii

(202) 224-3934

 

Larry Craig ®, Idaho

(202) 224-2752

 

Tom Harkin (D), Iowa

(202) 224-3254

 

Sam Brownback ®, Kansas

(202) 224-6521

 

Mitch McConnell ®, Kentucky

(202) 224-2541

 

Mary L. Landrieu (D), Louisiana

(202) 224-5824

 

Barbara A. Mikulski (D), Maryland

(202) 224-4654

 

Thad Cochran ®, Mississippi

(202) 224-5054

 

Christopher S. Bond ®, Missouri

(202) 224-5721

 

Conrad Burns ®, Montana

(202) 224-2644

 

Harry Reid (D), Nevada

(202) 224-3542

 

Judd Gregg ®, New Hampshire

(202) 224-3324

 

Pete V. Domenici ®, New Mexico

(202) 224-6621

 

Byron L. Dorgan (D), North Dakota

(202) 224-2551

 

Mike Dewine ®, Ohio

(202) 224-2315

 

Arlen Specter ®, Pennsylvania

(202) 224-4254

 

Ernest F. Hollings (D), South Carolina

(202) 224-6121

 

Tim Johnson (D), South Dakota

(202) 224-5842

 

Kay Bailey Hutchison ®, Texas

(202) 224-5922

 

Robert F. Bennett ®, Utah

(202) 224-5444

 

Patrick J. Leahy (D), Vermont

(202) 224-4242

 

Patty Murray (D), Washington

(202) 224-2621

 

Robert C. Byrd (D), Ranking Minority Member, West Virginia

(202) 224-3954

 

Herb Kohl (D), Wisconsin

(202) 224-5653

 

Forward this e-mail to a friend!

 

 

 

 

 

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