F.D.A. Warns Supplement Makers to Stop Touting Cures for Diseases Like Alzheimer’s - The New York Times

Supported by F.D.A. Warns Supplement Makers to Stop Touting Cures for Diseases Like Alzheimer's Image The F.D.A. also suggested that Congress strengthen its authority over the $40 billion industry, which sells as many as 80,000 kinds of powders and pills with little federal scrutiny.CreditCreditRobert K. Chin/Alamy By Sheila Kaplan Feb. 11, 2019 The Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned 12 sellers of dietary supplements to stop claiming their products can cure Alzheimer's disease. At the same time, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, the agency's commissioner, suggested that Congress strengthen the F.D.A.'s authority over an estimated $40 billion industry, which sells as many as 80,000 kinds of powders and pills with little federal scrutiny. These products range from benign substances like vitamin C or fish oil, to more risky mineral, herbal and botanical concoctions that can be fatal. "People haven't wanted to touch this framework or address this space in, really, decades and I think it's time we do it," Dr. Gottlieb said in an interview. He is particularly concerned about supplements that purport to cure diseases for which consumers should seek medical attention. "We know there are effective therapies that can help patients with Alzheimer's," he said. "But unproven supplements that claim to treat the disease but offer no benefits can prevent patients from seeking otherwise effective care." The companies included TEK Naturals, Pure Nootropics and Sovereign Laboratories. In its letter to TEK Naturals, the F.D.A. and the Federal Trade Commission, chastised the company for marketing "Mind Ignite" as a product "clinically shown to help diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer's and even dementia." The companies were not immediately available for comment, but on TEK Naturals' website, a statement notes, "We draw the line when it comes to disingenuous marketing. We don't make stupid claims." Dr. Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit advocacy organization, said that the F.D.A.'s warning letters call attention to the lack of regulation. "Each time they issue a new one, it hopefully acts as a shot across the bow for that segment of the industry," said Dr. Lurie, a former associate commissioner with the agency. He also expressed frustration that the F.D.A. has spent years debating policy that would encourage manufacturers to notify the agency of new dietary ingredients, but has not yet released it. Dr. Gottlieb said the F.D.A. would create an online watchlist of specific ingredients the agency is concerned about. The F.D.A.'s oversight is based on a 1994 federal law, which imposed minimal reporting and labeling requirements on the makers of vitamins, minerals and herbs — a fledgling industry at the time. To prevent a company from selling a product, the law requires the F.D.A. to prove that it is unsafe. The agency says that it is difficult to track the myriad products, many of which are sold on the internet. The law also requires businesses to notify the F.D.A. that they are making a dietary supplement, but not to say what's in it. "That just makes it impossible for the agency to police the market," Dr. Lurie said. The 25-year-old law has drawn increasing criticism as the sector has grown. There are now between 50,000 and 80,000 dietary supplements on the market, according to the F.D.A. The agency also says that three of every four American consumers now take a dietary supplement regularly. For older Americans, the rate is four out of five. In recent years, the F.D.A. has cracked down on several sectors of the industry, including dietary supplements sold for weight loss, sexual function and energy enhancement. More recently, one of the biggest targets has been kratom, a botanical substance that is marketed as a safe alternative for opioids or to help opioid users' withdrawal symptoms. The F.D.A. has ordered that kratom imports be seized and told companies not to use it in supplements. The agency has linked several deaths to kratom. Steve Mister, chief executive of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, which represents the dietary supplement business, said he believed the dietary supplements industry is "remarkably safe." He also said the current law strikes the right balance between ensuring safety and giving consumers access to affordable products. "These products are not drugs and should not be regulated like drugs," he said. Mr. Mister also said his group supports the F.D.A.'s enforcement actions, and has been working with Congress to increase the program's budget. Advertisement Let's block ads! (Why?) via Business - Latest - Google News https://nyti.ms/2RWcI1E February 11, 2019 at 11:43PM If New feed item from http://ftr.fivefilters.org/makefulltextfeed.php?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2Frss%2Ftopics%2FCAAqJggKIiBDQkFTRWd Unsubscribe from these notifications or sign in to manage your Email Applets.

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