Your standing in line at your local drug store, head killing you, your face feels like it’s ready to explode, and you cannot breathe if your life depended on it. In short your allergies are making your life unbearable, and you are completely out of Sudafed. When you finally arrive at the pharmacist and ask for a box, you are asked for your driver’s license and then promptly turned away. Recent laws have you waiting one more week before purchasing anything that contains pseudoephedrine or ephedrine.
Disgruntled and in pain, you walk away and as you leave the store you overhear the cashier tell a customer “instead of buying a pack a day, why don’t you just buy a carton? ” Right about now the FDA’s “…goal of a healthier, safer nation…” (“Overview Of The FDA Mission”, 2007) does not feel so accurate. The FDA’s regulations are unjust, because they place corporate profits above consumers’ safety, ban proven natural beneficial health medications, and allow the public’s lifestyle demands to alter their mission.
Placing Corporate Profits Above Consumers’ Safety If the FDA’s mission is “protecting the public health by assuring that foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary and properly labeled; human and veterinary drugs, and vaccines and other biological products and medical devices intended for human use are safe and effective” (“Overview Of The FDA Mission”, 2007).
then “some of the ninety-two aspartame side effects listed by the FDA include: confusion, memory loss, paresthesias, convulsions, absences, blindness, and psychologic-phychiatric reactions like sever anxiety attacks and severe depression” (“Aspartame Symptoms Submitted To The FDA”, 2006) wouldn’t be a concern for you when you reach for your favorite can of diet soda. Imagine these nice side effects while you reach for your blue packet of equal that you put in your coffee every morning. When aspartame was put in front of the FDA for approval it was denied eight times.
In the spring 1971 a neuroscientist, “Dr. John Olney (whose pioneering work with monosodium glutamate was responsible for having it removed from baby foods) informed Searle, the maker of aspartame, that his research show that aspartic acid (one of the ingredients of aspartame) caused holes in the brains of infant mice” (“How Aspartame Became Legal – The Timeline”, 2002). This study was even supported by Ann Reynolds, one of Searle’s own researchers, in a similar study. Even after these studies the FDA approved the use of aspartame in dry foods in 1974.
In 1980 there was a review by the Public Board of Inquiry set up by the FDA, this board determined that aspartame should not be approved and that aspartame was not safe for use as a food additive. In 1981 the FDA Commissioner over ruled the scientific review panel and in 1983 allowed aspartame in soda even though the National Soft Drink Association advised against it. Their cry out was due to “when liquid aspartame is stored in temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, it breaks down into DKP and formaldehyde, both of which are known toxins”.
(“Nutrasweet Company, A Delaware Corporation; And, Dr. Robert H. Moser, Individually; And The American Diabetes Association; And Monsanto Company; And Does 1-50 Inclusive. Court Case # C 04 3872 “, 2004). This is not on a list of ingredients one wants to read on their Dr. Pepper label. In 1983 Arthur Hull, the FDA Commissioner was under investigation for accepting gratuities from FDA regulated companies. Upon his resignation he went to work for Searle’s public relations firm. The Ban Of Proven Natural Beneficial Health Medications Imagine that local drug store again, struggling to breathe.
Instead of allergies, your body is fighting you, strangling you from the inside; you have an asthma attack. Before 2004 you could head off the attack by taking an herbal supplement from the health food store. A simple pill called ephedra. However, in 2004 the FDA banned the sale of ephedra (“Food & Drug Administration On Ephedra”, 2008), which was used medicinally for the relief of asthma, allergies, colds, hay fever and rheumatism. This a natural drug, one of the oldest, and has been around for over 5000 years, and in small or regulated dosages it is has been a useful drug for those in need of it.
Like all medicine, there are side effects and they vary from the “milder adverse effects known to be associated with sympathomimetic stimulants (e. g. , nervousness, dizziness, tremor, alternations in blood pressure or heart rate, headache, gastrointestinal distress)” (“Adverse Events With Ephedra And Other Botanical Dietary Supplements”, 2009). to more severe when misused chest pain, myocardial infarction, hepatitis, stroke, seizures, psychosis, and death (“Adverse Events With Ephedra And Other Botanical Dietary Supplements”, 2009).
Standing on the side of caution, this was an understandable ban from the market, after all death is a very permanent “side effect”. However, upon closer inspection, the FDA approves a similar drug used to treat asthma and allergies called Singulair. These side effects can include mild adverse effects like irritability, tiredness, swelling, and nosebleeds; however, Singulair also includes side effects like disorientation, hallucination, suicidal thoughts and actions (including suicide) (“Possible Side Effects”, 2012).
The FDA in addition has a warning on their website addressing an ongoing safety review regarding the “possible association between the use of Singulair and behavior/mood changes, suicidal thinking and behavior, and suicide. ” (“Fda Safety Update: Asthma Medications”, 2008) If the FDA is to protect the public, allowing a drug to pass through the approval process that has not been properly tested does not define “protecting the public”. Think about another drug that you have in their medicine cabinet, aspirin.
This is taken by almost everyone across the nation for fevers, pains and headaches. Such a common drug and although the FDA states the “daily use of aspirin is not for everyone” (“Aspirin For Reducing Your Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke: Know The Facts”, 2012) and to speak with a doctor or nurse practitioner before using, it still encourages the public to take this daily. Think of the side effects this simple drug has “… stomach bleeding, bleeding in the brain, kidney failure, and some kinds of strokes” (“Aspirin- Pubmed Health”, 2011).
In addition to these side effects, you additionally have to concern yourself with Aspirin poisoning, also known as Salicylate poisoning this has resulted in Reye’s Syndrome and even death. Imagine all this and even being encouraged for daily use! Publics’ Lifestyle Demand Alter The FDA Mission Remember the mission of the FDA is to protect the health and wellbeing of the public. They are there for us as consumers and are supposed to be there to even protect us from ourselves.
The FDA’s mission is “protecting the public health by assuring that foods are safe, wholesome, sanitary and properly labeled; human and veterinary drugs, and vaccines and other biological products and medical devices intended for human use are safe and effective” (Overview of the FDA Mission, 2007). If the FDA is living up to its intentions it should not regulate smoking. The CDC states that an estimated 443,000 die each year from smoking or second hand smoke and another 8. 6 million people live with a serious illness due to smoking.
“Tobacco Use Targeting The National Leading Killer” (2011), Ephedra was linked to only 100 deaths and was quickly banned from sale, this drug of choice is well above those numbers and is merely regulated. In 2009 President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which gave the FDA the power to regulate the tobacco industry. This act imposes new warnings on labels, cartons, and marketing and attempts to discourage minors to not smoke; however, at the age of 18 you can still walk up to the window and ask for a package of Marlboros.
Applaud their efforts with the no smoking tv commercials, graphic images and messages on cigarette packs that cover nearly half of the pack. Images that include a man smoking from a tracheotomy hole and rotting teeth may make a punch, but if the FDA were truly trying to protect the publics’ health, you wouldn’t be able to purchase tobacco products. Conclusion FDA’s regulations are unjust, because they place corporate profits above consumer’s safety. Think about Arthur Hull and how he did not have your best intention, when he overruled scientists in order to pass aspartame to be used in your everyday items.
Remember that later he was investigated for taking handouts from FDA regulated companies. Remember that the FDA barred stores from selling a natural herbal remedy that could assist those with asthma by preventing asthma attacks. Don’t forget about how the FDA allow the public’s lifestyle demand alter their mission by merely regulating smoking instead of banning a known harmful drug that has killed thousands each year. As you walk away from the convenience store today feeling disgruntled and aggravated, at least you know your feelings are indeed justified.
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html NutraSweet Company, a Delaware Corporation and, Dr. Robert H. Moser, individually and the American Diabetes Association, and Monsanto Company and Does 1-50 inclusive. Court Case # C 04 3872 . (2004). Retrieved from http://www. dldewey. com/columns/ricof2. htm Food & Drug Administration on ephedra. (2008). Retrieved from http://www. ephedra. com/fda. htm Ephedra. (2008). Retrieved from http://www. ephedra. com/ Adverse Events with Ephedra and Other Botanical Dietary Supplements. (2009). Retrieved from http://www. fda. gov/Food/DietarySupplements/Alerts/ucm111208.
htm FDA Safety Update: Asthma Medications. (2008). Retrieved from http://www. fda. gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048223. htm Possible Side Effects (2012). Retrieved from http://www. singulair. com/montelukast_sodium/consumer/asthma/treatment-of- asthma/possible-side-effects-of-singulair. jsp Aspirin for Reducing Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke: Know the Facts. (2012). Retrieved from http://www. fda. gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/Un derstandingOver-the-CounterMedicines/SafeDailyUseofAspirin/ucm291433.
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