We have news about intravenous vitamin C, the much-contested IOM vitamin D report, new lawsuits against Monsanto, and the outcry against KV Pharmaceutical.
Intravenous vitamin C
The FDA has responded to our campaign over intravenous vitamin C. The campaign was launched after they notified a pharmacy, McGuff Pharmaceuticals, that it will no longer be allowed to manufacture or distribute injectable vitamin C—despite its remarkable power to heal conditions that conventional medicine can’t touch.
After our initial article, we were heavily criticized by naysayers who claimed that FDA wasn’t going after IV C—that they were only going after McGuff for good manufacturing practices (GMP) violations. Our position was that despite the GMP violations, the FDA was also banning IV C, which FDA confirmed to us at that time. And now, a letter from the FDA further confirms it was indeed both—and states categorically that IV C is considered an “unapproved drug.”
Because of our grassroots activists—that is, you—the FDA came out of the shadows and provided official confirmation on a policy that they usually determine behind closed doors. According to statutory language in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the oral form of vitamin C is a dietary supplement, but the same vitamin C in its intravenous solution form is a drug. This is especially vexing, since vitamin C, being a natural substance, cannot be patented, which means no one will make bundles of money from it, which means no one will pay the billions of dollars to go through the drug approval process required by the FDA.
ANH-USA has met with Congressional leaders on this issue, and we are working to convene meetings with National Cancer Institute, a division of the NIH, to conduct the studies necessary to approve intravenous vitamin C.
The flawed vitamin D report produces even more flawed statistics
According to new data released by the CDC, only 8% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. This is not surprising, since they are using the levels deemed “sufficient” by the Institute of Medicine in their flawed report from last November—which, as we pointed out last November, flies in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence.
Part of the reason IOM recommended such low levels is because they based their findings solely on the bare minimum amount required to prevent bone disease, ignoring all the other benefits of vitamin D, and failing to look at levels necessary for optimal health—bone and otherwise. And now they are on the defensive, thanks to public outcry generated in no small part by our grassroots activists (that’s you, remember?). Previously they would have just kept quiet, but after so much furor and bad press, they were forced to publicly defend their position in the New England Journal of Medicine.
US organic farmers sue Monsanto
On behalf of 22 agricultural organizations, 12 seed businesses, and 26 farms, the Public Patent Foundation (PubPat), filed suit against Monsanto’s patents on genetically modified seeds. Organic farmers are asking to be protected against any lawsuits Monsanto might file against them in case their crops are accidentally contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically modified plants. They fear Monsanto will sue them for patent infringement if Monsanto’s transgenic seed should land on their property through windblown cross-pollination.
As PubPat’s executive director put it, “It seems quite perverse that an organic farmer contaminated by transgenic seed could be accused of patent infringement, but Monsanto has made such accusations before and is notorious for having sued hundreds of farmers for patent infringement, so we had to act to protect the interests of our clients.”
As we’ve reported previously, cross-pollination is inevitable without careful controls—which Monsanto has fought against. The company has also fought against action at the state level, which is why we are asking you to support your state’s bills on genetically engineered foods.
Now that the US Department of Agriculture has given farmers the go-ahead to resume planting Monsanto’s Roundup Ready sugarbeets (even though the USDA has not as yet completed the court-ordered environmental impact statement), the board of directors of American Crystal Sugar Company has decided to use the RR sugarbeet seed—despite the fact that we still don’t know the extent of the threat posed by the seed, nor its fuzzy legal status. This is one more example of big business in league together—to the detriment of our health.
KV Pharmaceutical faces the backlash
We now have official confirmation from the FDA that, as we reported last week, the agency will not prevent compounding pharmacies from continuing to provide 17P—which is exactly what you (our grassroots activists) asked them for.
In addition, KV Pharmaceutical has just lowered the list price on their high-risk pregnancy drug Makena to $690 per injection—nearly 55% less than the $1,500 they had originally decided to sell it for. However, this is still a far cry from the $10 per treatment which 17P sells for!
KV Pharmaceutical also plans to offer supplemental rebates, which will result in “a substantially reduced cost per injection” for state Medicaid agencies, and will expand its patient assistance program by removing income caps to qualify for financial assistance. They claim that 85 percent of patients will pay $20 or less per injection. (Only a 100% increase in the price of 17P rather than the previous 14,900%!)
The Washington Post reports that several members of Congress plan to investigate the drug’s pricing. “While I am glad the company is taking a hard look at their prices, the proposed price reduction doesn’t go far enough to protect public health,” Rep. Louise M. Slaughter (D-N.Y.) said.
You may recall our report that the March of Dimes, which received funding from KV Pharmaceutical and supported the company’s New Drug Application, sent a letter to KV expressing their serious concern about the price of Makena.” Apparently the public pressure has grown too great, and March of Dimes has now severed ties with KV entirely, asking that KV “immediately cease and desist the use, distribution or publication of or reference to the March of Dimes name and/or logo on any and all materials or communications in connection with KV Pharmaceuticals, Ther-Rx and Makena.”
We’ve also learned that, KV Pharmaceutical’s stock is down, and in its recent quarterly SEC filing, the company noted their “tough road ahead.”
Now that’s what grassroots activism is all about!
i hope because of sooooo many violations from the FDA and the FTC that Cognress will take their powers away. This magically changing a nutrient from a food supplement to a drug to end the supplement industry…..needs to end.
Children in burn and cancer ward need better treatment. IV’s should remain available for ALL.
Am I supposed to be pleased that Congress is going to look into drug pricing? I have watched as Congress investigates all kinds of issues and they do nothing!!! Why waste our tax money on such investigations?
I began in my 20’s taking Vitamin C to offset smoking and a few beers during my Party years!.
I learned the benefits of Vitamin C to guard against the common cold and flu in a job that required me to meet face to face with the public…..I spent years without a being sick.
I have increased by intake of 1000 mgs to 6000 mg’s daily and once or twice a year I have IV’s of 10, 000 mg to under free radical damage to my DNA…..many people say I look 20 years younger.
It keeps my stress level under control and does not tax my immune system.
I refuse as an American to allow any agency of the Federal Government and with my taxes pay their wages tell me I can’t have Vitamin C and in IV forms. I am supervised by a Wellness Physcian.
Cherries are a God Send for Seniors and children making Rutin and Vitamin C.
IT IS TIME TO FIRE THE FDA…..TAKE THEIR POWERS AWAY.
SEND THEM BACK TO SCHOOL TO LEARN ABOUT THE BENFITS OF NATURAL FOOD SUPPLEMENTS, ESPCIALLY ABOUT FREE RADICAL DAMAGE…..LET THEM LEARN HOW TO
PROTECT THE CELLS WITHOUT DRUGS.
I HAVE SURVIVED CANCER WITHOUT CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE..
FIRE THEM!
I am in favor of doing away with the FDA. Anything that has been approved by the FDA will not get through my front door.
Kim, I would really like to know what you used for your treatment and what you did, if you don’t mind sharing that.
And I am in total agreement with your statement, more and more people are becoming aware that the FDA is not there to protect us, as I once thought.
I’ve been taking care of myself and my family for 50 plus years. I have never needed the FDA to tell me what to grow, cook, or perseve for my family. I have also taught 4H’er and Homemakers what is needed for health. Many lifethreatening diseases have been cured with the use of Vitamin A, C, and E. Fresh fruits and vegetables are easy to grow and bountiful threw the winter with everything we need.
Children need to have their immune systems working at ultimate capacity. How does the FDA and the FTC intend to deal with the toxins in our environment? What is their plan?
IT IS TIME FOR THE FDA TO STEP IN AND PROTECT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WITHOUT CONTROLS FOR AN AGENCY IN BED WITH THE PHARMACUITAL COMPANES AND DOCTORS.
Opps, THE STATEMENT NEEDS TO READ….CONGRESS NEEDS TO STEP IN AND STOP THE FDA OVERPOLICING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. …THE FDA HAS OVER STEPPED THEIR BOUNDS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Since, I was left for dead by the medical profession…..i also woke up to the fact that Doctor’s are dependent on drugs, sugery and burning the body to fight disease.
Natural medicine assists the body to do what it does naturally; build, maintain, repar, and protect the body…..feed Your Cells micronutrients and see what happens…..you will be amazed.
Wethe people need to take an interest in protecting our health with out paying these high prices for convential meds charged by these pharmcutical companies. A lot of the exspence for research is provided by the gov which is our tax money. these damn thives take our tax monry and then turn around and stab the people in the back with hign prices. This is more gov double speak.Congress gives these companies money and then they get it back in behind the scenes or campaine donations.To me this is corruption.Thieft by proxy.there is a lot of options that the people could use to their health and cure most all diseases if the fraud and death adminstration was realigned to be honest and be stoped from pandering to the med manufacturers.the people should be able to make their own choice on treatments and should be able to have resources to check for medical treatments both conventional and alternative.the fda is not operating in a mode to realy help the people . athey have approved too many drugs that they later had to pull the plug on because they were doing more harm than goodmy way of thinking even one is too many and they have approvedquite a few that had to be recalled. The fda needs to be sued along with the pharmacy mfg. when a bad drug is approved.Maybe that would stop some of this nonsense.
I agree with Kim…GET RID OF THE FDA…what a bunch of deceivers. They do nothing to help the public and are in bed with Monsanto.
Why don’t farmers group together and sue Monsanto to come remove crops that get contaminated with their Frankenseeds? That might actually teach Monsanto to keep their horrifying crap to themselves.
Suing Monsanto when their products contaminate your products is exactly what will stop this heresy. I can’t imagine a bus running through your house and the bus manufacturer suing you. Monsanto should be sued royally every time its seeds show up in anyone’s field. That will stop them.
Paul
It’s interesting that IV Vitamin C would be single out when vitamins A & b have been used for years many times prior to surgery and those patients have better recoveries. That combinations
are used for general health. I would welcome, in fact when I have knee surgey this year I’m going to request IV vitamin C. With all the the bacteria that is resistant to antibotics it’s to bad more Doctors don’t use it, in and out of the hospital. This is a natural substance found in many plants and vegetables. I can think of many medications which the FDA shouldn’ of let on the market and what because of GMP violations they want McGuff to stop manufacuring IV/injectable Vit C., I don’t know who really is behind this scam but if more vitamins where given either IV/ injectable I know less antibotics would be needed. This is insanity leave any kind of vitamin in any form alone. That is between my health care provider and I, yes there has to be standards and I’m sure McGuff have been duly notified.
I don’t know what’s wrong with your knee – but try acupunture. It can work wonders. You might also want to see if there’s something out of alignment with your back, causing stress oh your knee. Try stillpoint center in vancouver. Dr. Blaney is amazing.
It is apparent that government’s main concern is to protect the interests of the big companies that provide campaign contributions or other means of payola (grants, honorariums, etc.) This applies to our elected officials (Congress) and appointed or hired employees (FDA, FCC, etc.) At least, with your action alerts we can bring some pressure to bear. The press will never fully go after these companies because they are either owned by them or depend on them for advertising revenue. Thanks again to ANH for all that you do.
God, I pray that they allow us to get IV Vitamin C again so my Father can stay alive! They put him into a state of bad health with their Frankenfood, chemical additives, pesticides, pollution, cosmetic toxins, radiation, chemotherapy and useless drugs that do more harm than good. He deserves another chance! Mom didn’t get one.
LET’S FIGHT ON! I’M READY FOR A REVOLUTION. ACCORDING TO THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE PLANET, IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE – THINGS ARE ERUPTING EVERYWHERE. LETS RETURN TO THE IDEA THAT FOOD + BOTANICALS + DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS = GOOD HEALTH FOR ALL NOT, FRANKENFOOD + BIG PHARMA + DRUG-DEALING DOCTORS = MASSIVE WEALTH FOR A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE.
2012 will be an end to life as we know it, it is time to take a stand for LIFE!
God created all that we need, Evil is destroying it.
Time for a revolution before they put us behind bars for wanting to live.
The fact that Monsanto fights controls on cross pollination tells me this is a deliberate strategy on their part to:
1-Contaminate non GMO and organic crops so they can
2-bring in additional money for suing non-GMO farmers and farms for patent infringement for something they had no control over, and
3-destroy their businesses thereby
4-eliminating their competition and
5-making all farmers dependent on their patented GMO frankenseeds.
They seem to care nothing about the fact that their frankenfood may cause long term health issues, contaminate all food supplies, and that some of their frankencrops like GMO cotton are downright toxic (animals allowed to graze on GMO cotton plants in India all died in a matter of days, while those which grazed on natural cotton suffered no ill effects, plus anyone who handled the GMO cotton suffered various allergic reactions). Further, GMO herbicide resistant crops have cross pollinated with weeds to create herbicide resistant GMO superweeds, and it is entirely possible these GMO crops could be toxic to honeybees and responsible for the mysterious disapperance of the bees by the millions. These bees are essential for the pollination of many crops, and without them these crops could face extinction.
It’s high time congress stopped listening to high powered high paid lobbyists who for all practical purposes bribe them with campaign contributions, do some investigation of their own, and stop letting corporations use them for their own purposes. Otherwise we may well be seeing the famines prophesied in the Bible sooner than we think.
Only in America will a $10 treatment be sold for $1600. What kind of country is the US?
It is amazing that cigarettes kill over 400,000 people a year, costing the taxpayer countless dollars, are easily available to children, yet they’re still on the market. While nutritional supplements that have been used successfully to treat ailments for thousands of years and many that have been scientifically tested and proven to aid in aleviating and many times, curing countless human ailments, are being targeted by the FDA as unsafe. As long as cigarettes are allowed by the FDA, we certainly should have the freedom to choose what nutritional supplements we wish to take.
The FDA picked out McGuff not because of trumped up ‘GMP violations’ that had all passed in previous inspections, identical procedures – but because of the success their IV Vitamin C was having with patients! Did you see the video from New Zealand? The farmer who was on his death bed, was given IV Vitamin C and a liposome Vitamin C at the insistence of his family. He was in a coma and on life support; his doctors told his family to get his affairs in order, to remove the life support and that he would pass on. Instead, the IV Vitamin C had such a positive effect – he ended up surviving, and the story ran on New Zealand TV, then the video was sent round the world. Unfortunately for McGuff, their label was visible in the video that went round the world….! I strongly suspect the manufacturers of swine flu vaccines, were so threatened they pressured the FDA to “stop McGuff”. Follow the money! I challenge to FDA to supply ANY consumer or patient complaints on IV Vitamin C and McGuff Vitamin C in particular. I challenge the FDA to supply ANY adverse event reports on IV Vitamin C. Because I firmly believe there AREN’T any. This was a witch hunt.