11 replies to this topic

[DukeNukem]

Dear Sen. Hutchison,

I appreciate your reply to my first letter regarding the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. In your reply you wrote:

>>>On February 4, 2010, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) introduced S. 3002, the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. This legislation would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to more effectively regulate dietary supplements that may pose safety risks unknown to consumers.<<<

As someone very closely tied to health as a diligent investigator and proponent of preventative health solution, I can tell you unequivocally that dietary supplements have a safety record that puts non-natural FDA-approved drugs to shame. While tens pf thousands of people die each each from FDA-approved drugs and OTC drugs, less than 10 per year have died from natural supplements, and these are all from weight loss type supplements in which the users abused them well beyond dosage recommendations. More people die in gyms each year -- are we to regulate gyms, too?

This outrageous seeping of unwarranted government regulation in our lives is spurring an intense viral campaign on twitter, facebook and Buzz (Google's new social network). Trust me, proponents of this Act are not doing themselves any popularity favors.

This is one area in which the government is taking unnecessary, unwarranted steps. And, by all appearances, it once again looks like the government is taking these steps under strong influence by Big Pharma, who have the most to lose by Americans taking health into their hands, as I've done, and 1000's of others within the various proactive health groups I belong.

Please abandon this Act.

Let's face it, the American Empire is falling fast, and there are bigger BBQ ribs to baste. Do we really need to waste time ticking off the 50% of supplement-taking-Americans who do not want you or McCain or anyone else restricting access?

I didn't think so.

Scott Miller
Director, Immortality Institute

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I highly recommend sending similar letters to your own congress-people. Senators can easily be found on this site, top right corner:
http://senate.gov/

[Kutta]

I think less poetic questions and an overall less combative tone would benefit the letter. Explicitly mentioning ImmInst could also be a drawback as it - let's be honest - conjures up the image of something quackish. Duke, if I'm correct you're not devoid of entrepreneurial merits that could be used for self-identification, instead of ImmInst.

[OneScrewLoose]

I agree with Kutta. I don't think invoking conspiracy theories (Big Pharma), whether true or not, is of any help. And the Immortality Institute comes off as weird, like Kutta said. We should focus on the issues on hand and not be combative in presenting it as a bad idea, but presenting it as a bad idea cause it's a bad idea, making the representative happy to vote against it instead of afraid to vote for it.

[Mind]

It is good to mention the percentage of people who use supplements and tweak the politicians desire to be re-elected. That is what matters most to them. If they think there will be backlash and they will not be re-elected they will run from the bill faster than Usain Bolt.

[david ellis]

I agree with Kutta. I don't think invoking conspiracy theories (Big Pharma), whether true or not, is of any help. And the Immortality Institute comes off as weird, like Kutta said. We should focus on the issues on hand and not be combative in presenting it as a bad idea, but presenting it as a bad idea cause it's a bad idea, making the representative happy to vote against it instead of afraid to vote for it.

I don't like conspiracy theories, but I think the Pharma conspiracy is the whole point, and a strong mention is needed to frame the issue.

[eason]

Well, you can cite examples of countries who have crossed the line. For example, in Norway, vitamin C over 200mg is illegal and expensive too - over $100 a bottle. Herbs are illegal as well, except for echinicea, which still hasn't been proven efficacious. Caveat: it costs over $100 a bottle as well. They don't have much freedom to purchase other supplements like we do.

Of course, I'm sure they implemented this to "protect their citizens from vitamin C." The fact that the only real medicines available now in Norway are pharmaceutical products has nothing to do with it.

[makoss]

Like some here, I'm no fan of Big Pharma. But since 1998, pharmaceutical products have accounted for $1.81 billion in lobbyist spending in Washington DC. And they will continue to ramp up spending. With that much influence, how can the supplement industry compete?

[DairyProducts]

http://www.opensecre...i...010&ind=H04
This tells how much money senators and representatives receive from big pharma. I'm sure they were contributing more for the healthcare bill, but it's possible it would also spill over for this bill too. Could be an indicator of how likely your senator will support the bill.

Whether or not you think your rep would be down with it, mentioning that 50% of Americans take supplements is the one thing that needs to get through in written letters. The twitter/facebook/buzz thing is a nice touch too. Politicians (or at least their staffers) do notice when they get mail that isn't from crazies who write them all the time.

[rwac]

http://www.opensecre...i...010&ind=H04
This tells how much money senators and representatives receive from big pharma. I'm sure they were contributing more for the healthcare bill, but it's possible it would also spill over for this bill too. Could be an indicator of how likely your senator will support the bill.

Actually this should be more accurate.

http://www.opensecre...;goButt2=Submit

Orrin Hatch is actually a pretty good defender of supplements.

[rwac]

Of course, I'm sure they implemented this to "protect their citizens from vitamin C." The fact that the only real medicines available now in Norway are pharmaceutical products has nothing to do with it.

I think you're closer to the truth than you realize.

The governments think that their citizens are not competent to make their own choices and risk judgements.
They need to be herded directed towards the right choices, like sheep.

The pharma money is only the cherry on top.

Edited by rwac, 27 February 2010 - 05:40 PM.

[OneScrewLoose]

I am not saying that there isn't an effect from big pharma, I just don't think mentioning it the letter is gonna help anything.

[kismet]

I agree with Kutta. I don't think invoking conspiracy theories (Big Pharma), whether true or not, is of any help. And the Immortality Institute comes off as weird, like Kutta said. We should focus on the issues on hand and not be combative in presenting it as a bad idea, but presenting it as a bad idea cause it's a bad idea, making the representative happy to vote against it instead of afraid to vote for it.

I don't like conspiracy theories, but I think the Pharma conspiracy is the whole point, and a strong mention is needed to frame the issue.

I strongly disagree & disapprove. Be topical! Whimsical tirades against "big pharma" couldn't be more out of place.

Edited by kismet, 27 February 2010 - 08:24 PM.