Fwd: DSHEA Full Implementation and Enforcement Act of 2003 (S. 1538).

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

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

Ann Fonfa

 

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

 

THIS IS THE LETTER TO BE SENT ( To your elected representatives), 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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