From the desk of VPX Sports Nutrition CEO, Jack Owoc,

Today our freedom is threatened from all quarters. There is even a threat going on right here all across the USA. Yes, it is true! The FDA is seeking to gain additional legislative authority at the expense of DSHEA. Modifying DSHEA would seriously jeopardize the sale of supplements that are highly effective like andro, creatine, beta andrenergic agonists, kava, ephedra, caffeine, amino acid peptides etc. and give the FDA the right to pull these from store shelves and ban them as they see fit. The big problem with this is that the FDA has many executive board members and other employees in prominent positions that have conflicting interests and agendas specific to the sale of pharmaceutical drugs. Simply put "Big Pharma" has it's own organization called, PHARMA that is funded with billions of dollars to carry out any agenda that threatens the sale of prescription drugs. So powerful and serious is this organization in protecting the interest of pharmaceutical drug companies, that they have persons working in some capacity in every government, non-government and political position that has any impact on decisions that affect drug sales. While the FDA is an excellent organization, it must make an effort to rid itself of the individuals that govern them that have conflicting interests such as, ownership or share holders etc. in pharmaceutical companies.

Likewise, it is vitally important not to underestimate the the powerful political impact of giant pharmaceutical firms now that Big Tobacco has suffered great financial losses and is no longer a powerful funding force in Washington.

Obviously, broadening the scope of the FDA's legislative power by amending DSHEA would allow Big Pharma to systematically eliminate any dietary supplement that threatens pharmaceutical drug sales. It is imperative that you understand what this means. Big Pharma/FDA has no problem with supplements that are ineffective-only the supplements that work and consequently, threaten drug sales. If you like a particular supplement because it works, you can kiss it good bye unless you act now! Therefore, please be patient and read forward to make your voice count.

The FDA approved the sale of drugs that have caused more death and serious illness than all the World Wars combined, yet, they have never experienced any consequence or accountability for these actions. For example, the FDA approved diet drug, Phen Phen (cute little name)killed many users and caused over 360,000 heart valve disorders. Yet, the FDA (fueled by Big Pharma), have relentlessly hunted down ephedra and even falsified documents presented to the GOA (Government Accounting Office). Why? Because Big Pharma has lost billions of dollars in diet drug sales to the safe and highly effective ephedra-based supplements. With all due respect to the greatest government in the world i.e., the United States Government, the branch of the FDA has no business assuming greater authority through increased legislative power. They must manage there own house first before ever attempting to take on greater responsibility. Below will give you a link of how you can prevent this gross violation of your American right to choose the supplements that you enjoy and want to continue to use. I urge you to send this to as many of your supplement-using family and friends as possible.

Click here to send this to a friend >

Thank You for your patience and willingness to protect our freedom to choose,

Jack Owoc
VPX/Human Muscle and Performance, CEO


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The NNFA calls members to action.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) , which oversees the Food & Drug Administration, is asking for public comment regarding the safety of ephedra and the potential addition of warning labels to products containing the herb (see February 28 NNFA alert.) Significantly, the FDA is also asking what additional legislative authority it might need to effectively address this issue.

Any change in FDA's legislative authority would be the result of amending the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) and apply to the entire supplement category - not just ephedra.

We don't want to go back to 1993! That's why it's imperative that every member of this industry - every person concerned about access to a wide variety of safe and beneficial supplements - go on the record with the FDA within the next 30 days as supporting the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.

You must submit these comments by April 5, 2003 for them to count. Here is a brief list of key points:

FDA already has enough legislative authority to regulate supplements.

The passage of DSHEA increased FDA's enforcement powers. The Department of Health and Human Services can also stop the sale of an entire class of dietary supplements if they pose an imminent public health hazard.

FDA has finally started to fully implement the law by taking aggressive action against unsubstantiated dietary supplement claims. Give these efforts a chance to work.

You can submit your comments in two easy ways:

Internet - http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments
(Choose 95N-0304 when asked to select a docket for comment)

Regular Mail - Write to: Dockets Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm.1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

Please send us a copy of your comments via fax (727-848-7654), e-mail (nnfase@nnfase-soho.org), or regular mail to the address on the reverse side. (= NNFA Southeast Region, 5445 James Street, New Port Richey, FL 34652)

For Complete details and a sample letter, call NNFA Southeast @ 1-800-828-7250

JO/NNFA Pamphlet