A proposed rule would eliminate many helpful, customized natural medicines. Action Alert!
Last week, the FDA released a proposal to prohibit more than a dozen natural medicines from being made at compounding pharmacies, which make customized medicines to suit the needs of individual patients. This is the latest action in a long series of maneuvers and attacks intended to cripple the compounding industry, whose products compete with expensive pharmaceutical drugs. We must fight back.
Here are the medicines the FDA has proposed to eliminate:
- Acetyl-L-carnitine is naturally produced by the body, functions as an antioxidant, and promotes the production of glutathione in cells. It is used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory problems, and a wide range of other conditions.
- Aloe Vera is a plant that has been used medicinally as far back as the 16th century BCE. It is widely used in natural and traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, treating everything from burns to constipation, psoriasis, and herpes simplex virus.
- Artemisinin is a compound found in sweet wormwood, an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is most notably used to treat malaria, but it may also be helpful for tuberculosis and a host of other conditions. Considering the rise of drug-resistant TB, which is virtually untreatable and is sending conventional doctors into a panic, it would be lunacy to restrict access to this herb.
- Astragalus is an herb used in Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties
- Chondroitin Sulfate is a structural component of the cartilage in joints. It stimulates the production of cartilage, improves blood circulation to the joints, and is used to treat osteoarthritis, among other things.
- Curcumin is a compound in turmeric with well demonstrated anti-inflammatory characteristics
- D-Ribose is a natural ingredient for increasing energy (ATP) production. Evidence indicates that d-ribose can rejuvenate heart muscles after a heart attack or other cardiac events.
- Deoxy-D-Glucose has exhibited anticancer and antiviral properties, but there is no mystery as to why it was voted down. It is currently being studied by a drug company as a possible drug, so the FDA is no doubt protecting the pharmaceutical company looking into the substance.
- Domperidone has been useful for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease with minimal serious side effects.
- Glycyrrhizin is used as an antiviral agent, especially for hepatitis. It does have to be used carefully under medical supervision, but in this case has been banned from prescribed medical use.
- Nettle has a number of salutary effects. It was used by Roman soldiers to withstand the cold by stimulating blood circulation. It helps the body detoxify itself, alleviates allergic reactions, and promotes healthy blood circulation.
- NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a vital compound involved in mitochondrial health and energy metabolism. As NAD levels decline later in life, mitochondrial function is impaired, resulting in various symptoms of aging. NAD is also an essential cofactor of certain key enzymes that are responsible for longevity. Every year we are learning more about how critical NAD is, including for cancer control.
- Vanadyl Sulfate is an insulin mimic and a natural therapy for diabetes and insulin resistance. It is a form of a trace mineral found in mushrooms and shellfish.
Compounding pharmacies make customized, natural medicines for patients for whom it is difficult to swallow a pill (the elderly, children, and patients with disabilities, for example), as well as for patients with allergies, sensitivities to environmental contaminants and preservatives, or who require doses or delivery systems different than those of commercially available products. The ability of compounding pharmacies to function, thrive, and produce these supplements plays a crucial role in people’s lives.
The FDA has repeatedly demonstrated that it is unconcerned with the needs of these vulnerable patients. Time and time again, the FDA has proposed to reject the medicines for which there is little to no safety concern, like those listed above. It has long been our suspicion that the end goal is to eliminate the compounding industry altogether, and this is a devious way to do it—just whittle away at the ingredients that are allowed to be compounded, and it’s “death by a thousands cuts” for compounding pharmacies. Recall, too, that the agency is placing limitations on how many medicines traditional pharmacies can send out-of-state. And it’s all done to eliminate competition for major drug companies. We see this as yet another instance of the FDA putting the needs of Big Pharma over the health of the American people.
Action Alert! Write to the FDA, with a copy to Congress, insisting that these medicines continue to be available at compounding pharmacies. Please send your message immediately.
Natural remedies are not dangerous. Please keep our options for compounding pharmacies to make them!
What?
i was unable to send because the letters that are weird that you have to type out would not send for some reason I did it 6 times too
Take a screen shot or shots and mail them.
It is well known to those of us who use curcumin and other compounded drugs or, other natural substances purchased from reputable health food stores, that these medical substances work well with no side affects. These are natural remedies and products that promote well-being. We should have an opportunity and the ability to buy such products without interference or objection to our use of them in our everyday lives. I believe the end goal is to eliminate our choices, thereby enriching pharmaceutical producers, as there would be no natural and effective options other than what they provide for us.
is well known to those of us who use curcumin and other compounded drugs or, other natural substances purchased from reputable health food stores, that these medical substances work well with no side affects. These are natural remedies and products that promote well-being. We should have an opportunity and the ability to buy such products without interference or objection to our use of them in our everyday lives. I believe the end goal is to eliminate our choices, thereby enriching pharmaceutical producers, as there would be no natural and effective options other than what they provide for us.
Customized supplements must continue to be available at compounding pharmacies.
It isn’t the FDA but big pharma____ical corporations that don’t want us to take anything they don’t control. Pharma____icals destroyed my Parents and nearly killed me.
To the FDA: As a Democracy, it is our right as an American, to choose how to treat our bodies. Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic, Allopathic, etc. give us the right to choose what works best for us in healing health issues. It is not a governmental decision to tell us how to heal ourselves. There is a place for many options and choices; It is about the NEEDS of our people. It is not about making $$$$$ for big pharma.
As citizens we have the right to choose what we eat and what supplements (not drugs) we wish to take.
Personal freedom means we can close what foods we wish to eat and what supplements we wish to take. PERIOD
This type of overreach by Big Pharma and their lap puppy, the FDA, is shameful, wrong and steps on my freedom of choice. The profiteering mongrels (apologies to animals) seeking to gain control of previously obtainable important resources available to discerning adults for their own enrichment is EVIL at its core. We see how this same profiteering motive has driven the current opioid crisis and enriched by billions of dollars the instigators who have taken advantage of their influence and ability to control access. I hope others will loudly resist this corruption as will I.
Do not prohibit the use of the many natural substances millions of people depend on for everything from pain to arthritis to diabetes. Drug companies want to force patients to use ONLY their products, but often their products are unaffordable, unavailable, or have undesirable side effects. Many natural products, including curcumin, astragalus and aloe vera, among others, have been used safely for thousands of years. Do not cave to the big Pharmas!
Being only concerned with the acquisition of money and power the FDA and Big Pharma want every nickel anyone spends on their health care to go into FDA/Big Pharma’s pocket. FDA is mandated to keep rule over pharmaceutical products. Natural substances are, by law, beyond their purvue. This needs to remain the law.
Don’t Ban Customized Curcumin and other matural medicines.
Every day I run across situations whereby big business controls us and our government. The pharmaceutical industry is among the worst offenders, have we learned nothing from Purdue and the oxycontin debacle? Yet, the pharmaceutical companies still do whatever they possibly can to crush compounding pharmacies, natural medicines, supplements, and any competition that effects their bottom line. Do none of our politicians and governmental agencies have common sense or a backbone to stand up for citizens. Do none of our politicians ever scratch their heads, put two and two together and see the big picture? The FDA doesn’t always get it right, in fact, let’s take a close look at the number of drugs gone to market that are harming people. How is it that the FDA doesn’t have to publish how much money is filtered to them from the pharmaceutical giants? Is there any hope our politicians will ever spend more than 30 seconds to do their own research about natural medicine?
Please allow the following ingredients to be compounded at local pharmacies!
Acetyl-L-carnitine is naturally produced by the body, functions as an antioxidant, and promotes the production of glutathione in cells. It is used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory problems, and a wide range of other conditions.
Aloe Vera is a plant that has been used medicinally as far back as the 16th century BCE. It is widely used in natural and traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, treating everything from burns to constipation, psoriasis, and herpes simplex virus.
Artemisinin is a compound found in sweet wormwood, an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is most notably used to treat malaria, but it may also be helpful for tuberculosis and a host of other conditions. Considering the rise of drug-resistant TB, which is virtually untreatable and is sending conventional doctors into a panic, it would be lunacy to restrict access to this herb.
Astragalus is an herb used in Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties
Chondroitin Sulfate is a structural component of the cartilage in joints. It stimulates the production of cartilage, improves blood circulation to the joints, and is used to treat osteoarthritis, among other things.
Curcumin is a compound in turmeric with well demonstrated anti-inflammatory characteristics
D-Ribose is a natural ingredient for increasing energy (ATP) production. Evidence indicates that d-ribose can rejuvenate heart muscles after a heart attack or other cardiac events.
Deoxy-D-Glucose has exhibited anticancer and antiviral properties, but there is no mystery as to why it was voted down. It is currently being studied by a drug company as a possible drug, so the FDA is no doubt protecting the pharmaceutical company looking into the substance.
Domperidone has been useful for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease with minimal serious side effects.
Glycyrrhizin is used as an antiviral agent, especially for hepatitis. It does have to be used carefully under medical supervision, but in this case has been banned from prescribed medical use.
Nettle has a number of salutary effects. It was used by Roman soldiers to withstand the cold by stimulating blood circulation. It helps the body detoxify itself, alleviates allergic reactions, and promotes healthy blood circulation.
NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a vital compound involved in mitochondrial health and energy metabolism. As NAD levels decline later in life, mitochondrial function is impaired, resulting in various symptoms of aging. NAD is also an essential cofactor of certain key enzymes that are responsible for longevity. Every year we are learning more about how critical NAD is, including for cancer control.
Vanadyl Sulfate is an insulin mimic and a natural therapy for diabetes and insulin resistance. It is a form of a trace mineral found in mushrooms and shellfish.
As a natural health practitioner, I have seen the benefit of these natural products time and time again. The importance of natural medicine is not to be underestimated. People need support of the immuunsytem and organs to counterbalance the havoc they suffer from chemical (over) medications and pollution and toxicity from their enviroment.
Last week, the FDA released a proposal to prohibit more than a dozen natural medicines from being made at compounding pharmacies, which make customized medicines to suit the needs of individual patients. This is the latest action in a long series of maneuvers and attacks intended to cripple the compounding industry, whose products compete with expensive pharmaceutical drugs. We must fight back.
Here are the medicines the FDA has proposed to eliminate:
Acetyl-L-carnitine is naturally produced by the body, functions as an antioxidant, and promotes the production of glutathione in cells. It is used for Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory problems, and a wide range of other conditions.
Aloe Vera is a plant that has been used medicinally as far back as the 16th century BCE. It is widely used in natural and traditional medicine for a variety of conditions, treating everything from burns to constipation, psoriasis, and herpes simplex virus.
Artemisinin is a compound found in sweet wormwood, an herb that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It is most notably used to treat malaria, but it may also be helpful for tuberculosis and a host of other conditions. Considering the rise of drug-resistant TB, which is virtually untreatable and is sending conventional doctors into a panic, it would be lunacy to restrict access to this herb.
Astragalus is an herb used in Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties
Chondroitin Sulfate is a structural component of the cartilage in joints. It stimulates the production of cartilage, improves blood circulation to the joints, and is used to treat osteoarthritis, among other things.
Curcumin is a compound in turmeric with well demonstrated anti-inflammatory characteristics
D-Ribose is a natural ingredient for increasing energy (ATP) production. Evidence indicates that d-ribose can rejuvenate heart muscles after a heart attack or other cardiac events.
Deoxy-D-Glucose has exhibited anticancer and antiviral properties, but there is no mystery as to why it was voted down. It is currently being studied by a drug company as a possible drug, so the FDA is no doubt protecting the pharmaceutical company looking into the substance.
Domperidone has been useful for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease with minimal serious side effects.
Glycyrrhizin is used as an antiviral agent, especially for hepatitis. It does have to be used carefully under medical supervision, but in this case has been banned from prescribed medical use.
Nettle has a number of salutary effects. It was used by Roman soldiers to withstand the cold by stimulating blood circulation. It helps the body detoxify itself, alleviates allergic reactions, and promotes healthy blood circulation.
NAD (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a vital compound involved in mitochondrial health and energy metabolism. As NAD levels decline later in life, mitochondrial function is impaired, resulting in various symptoms of aging. NAD is also an essential cofactor of certain key enzymes that are responsible for longevity. Every year we are learning more about how critical NAD is, including for cancer control.
Vanadyl Sulfate is an insulin mimic and a natural therapy for diabetes and insulin resistance. It is a form of a trace mineral found in mushrooms and shellfish.
Compounding pharmacies make customized, natural medicines for patients for whom it is difficult to swallow a pill (the elderly, children, and patients with disabilities, for example), as well as for patients with allergies, sensitivities to environmental contaminants and preservatives, or who require doses or delivery systems different than those of commercially available products. The ability of compounding pharmacies to function, thrive, and produce these supplements plays a crucial role in people’s lives.
The FDA has repeatedly demonstrated that it is unconcerned with the needs of these vulnerable patients. Time and time again, the FDA has proposed to reject the medicines for which there is little to no safety concern, like those listed above. It has long been our suspicion that the end goal is to eliminate the compounding industry altogether, and this is a devious way to do it—just whittle away at the ingredients that are allowed to be compounded, and it’s “death by a thousands cuts” for compounding pharmacies. Recall, too, that the agency is placing limitations on how many medicines traditional pharmacies can send out-of-state. And it’s all done to eliminate competition for major drug companies. We see this as yet another instance of the FDA putting the needs of Big Pharma over the health of the American people.
Please keep these natural remedies available for compounding.
Please preserve our right to have access to these compounded supplements.
This is yet another attack on our constitutional rights to allow our citizens to choose to natural medicines vs. Pharmaceutical drugs that most often than not have very bad side affects. Big Pharma is controlling more and more of our nation’s ‘natural’ resources because they see this as a threat to their exponential money-making drug markets. This must stop.
To Whom it may Concern: I am against the FDA or any other Federal or State agency from meddling in affairs that are not their business to intrude upon. The health care industry needs oversight with chemical compounds made in a factory, but health food supplements and medicines that have been used for centuries do not need oversight and infact, it should be the other way around with genuine health practitioners monitoring the FDA! I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THIS OVER REACH MAY ALSO BE AN INDICATION OF BIG PHARMA TRYING TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH BRIBERY AND OTHER ILLEGAL TACTICS MEANT TO STIFLE THE HEALTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDUSTRY. THE FDA SHOULD CEASE AND DESIST ALL INTRUSIONS INTO THIS AREA IMMEDIATELY OTHERWISE IT NEEDS TO CLOSE DOWN AND FARM OUT THEIR WORK TO NON GOVERNMENTAL FACILITIES. PLEASE TAKE THIS ADVICE AND MONITOR THIS AGENCY IMMEDIATELY!
UNBELIEVABLE GREED AND ARROGANCE ON THE PART OF BIG PHARMA AND ALL WHO PROFIT FROM IT. TO ATTEMPT TO DENY ACCESS TO NATURAL GOD-GIVEN HERBS, FOODS AND OTHER REMEDIES THAT PREVENT ILLNESS AND HEAL WITHOUT THE DEADLY SIDE EFFECTS OF PHARMACEUTICALS AND AT A FRACTION OF THE COST. THIS QUALIFIES THEM FOR NOTHING BUT THE LABEL OF FASCIST PSYCHOPATHS
I would like to add my name to the growing list of individuals who feel that you, FDA, have overstepped your bounds. You are no longer protecting me but instead are infringing on my rights as an individual to make my own decisions on what I want to use as a “medicinal option”.
Leave my options open and allow Compounding Pharmacies to work their craft. If the product doesn’t work, I won’t buy it again, but if it works, even if it’s just for me, why do you want to take my option away? There will always be those who might have an adverse reaction, but I haven’t seen the FDA ban the sale of peanut butter because of its adverse reaction in some individuals.
There are less people with alzheimer’s disease in India than anywhere in the world. Curumin, a substance found in the spice turmeric, has been found to help with many physical problems. Turmeric is a staple in Indian cooking – perhaps helping with inflammation as well as brain function. Aloe Vera & other plants should not be removed from sale or use.
The American people need the compounding pharmacies they’ve used and trust to have plants and herbs available for their work.
The FDA has repeatedly demonstrated that it is unconcerned with the needs of these vulnerable patients. Time and time again, the FDA has proposed to reject the medicines for which there is little to no safety concern, like those listed above. It has long been our suspicion that the end goal is to eliminate the compounding industry altogether, and this is a devious way to do it—just whittle away at the ingredients that are allowed to be compounded, and it’s “death by a thousands cuts” for compounding pharmacies. Recall, too, that the agency is placing limitations on how many medicines traditional pharmacies can send out-of-state. And it’s all done to eliminate competition for major drug companies. We see this as yet another instance of the FDA putting the needs of Big Pharma over the health of the American people.
Why is this happening? The government needs to keep out of our personal health choices. This is just to support Bib Phama and their special interests!
Stay out of our rights to use natural medicine. There is no good reason why these natural substances should be banned in any way. The public has a right to use any natural substance for their own health care that they choose. It’s called ‘medical freedom’. Natural pharmacists should not be banned from using any in their formulations either.
This administration’s FDA needs to keep its corrupt nose OUT of customized medicine. Nothing good will ever come from their interference. I’ve watched Sonny Perdue and his ‘show’ ain’t pretty.
I need these natural supplements. I don’t need drugs or drug company prices. Thank you very much.
Although I do not currently need customized medicines prepared by compounding pharmacies, I use or have used more than half of the natural nutritional substances itemized in this message. I assume a large number of people do, too.
These are safe, nutritional substances found to be efficacious for maintaining the good health of millions of Americans. Is the FDA now alleging they may not be safe? If not there is no justification for even considering removing them from access to the public, either by banning them from compounding pharmacies or from general use by the public or both.
This is nothing more than protecting the interests of the Pharmaceutical Companies, which is NOT the responsibility of the FDA.
You have no business trying to regulate safe medicines. You , also have no right to supersede consumer choice given these products inherent safety, especially when your only motivation is corporate profit.
This is uncalled for and should not be allowed. We the consumer should be allowed to make our own decisions on these types of products.
The FDA needs to keep their hands off of our natural medicines and allow compounding pharmacies the right to customize these substances for their patients. Instead they should do their job and regulate all the harmful “prescription” drugs on the market. Thousands of people die every year due to “legal” drugs taken as directed.
This is obviously, another deplorable grab by big pharma and the FDA.
Congress needs to STOP this assault on compounding pharmacies!
If you at the FDA ban natural medicines made at compounding pharmacies, I will know that it’s to eliminate competition for the expensive pharmaceutical drugs. Your agency cares nothing for patients’ needs, or health, and is only seeking to benefit corporations.
Big Pharma should not have any say on what herbs we can take for heath’s sake. The have shown their true colors with the opioid epidemic. Let we the people ,make our own health choices.
If you (the FDA) do ban curcumin, etc. then it will PROVE that YOUR #1 goal is to MURDER millions if not MORE & further proving the FDA is run by LITERAL Nazis!
stop this maddnes!
This HAS is definitely the enemy of the American consumer.They also just sit by while these powers that be just keep dreaming up and proposing ways to repopulate the world population.
HELLO, THIS IS JOYCE SHIFFRIN, AND I AM SENDING YOU THIS E-MESSAGE BECAUSE I AM URGING AND BEGGING YOU FROM THE VERY, VERY, VERY BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO PLEASE STOP THE POTENTIAL BAN ON CUSTOMIZED CURCUMIN AS NO SUPPLEMENT, UNLESS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, EVER DESERVES TO BE BANNED!!!
THEREFORE, PLEASE TAKE MY E-MESSAGE VERY, VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY!!!
THANK YOU,
JOYCE SHIFFRIN
FDA Please leave our natural substances alone. You are trying to play God and you have done a miserable job of it. Americans as a whole would be so much healthier if you would get out of the way.
Please leave our natiral products alone! We have a right to nature!
How can I get the address to the FDA and Congress so that I can write?
Please do not take these natural remedies off the market
I stay healthy by using natural products and not having to rely on drugs that have side effects. PLEASE leave natural herbs and medicines alone.
FDA don’t band natural ingredients that help people without
the horrible side effects that traditional pharmaceutical medications have.
Please do not ban these substances.
MYSELF AND MY FAMILY HAVE BEEN USING CURCUMIN SUPPLEMENTS FOR A GOOD MANY YEARS. WE HAVE NOT COME TO ANY HARM AT ALL, IF FACT IT CURCUMIN HAS DONE US ALL GOOD.
WHY BAN CURCUMIN THIS AMAZING SUPPLEMENT
I WANT FREEDOM OF CHOICE TO CHOOSE WHAT IS RIGHT FOR MY BODY.
PUT THE PEOPLE/ HUMAN BEINGS FIRST INSTEAD OF ALWAYS LAST
These are more backward steps being made to support Big Pharma against Americans, we need these ingredients and most of us prefer to use Natural medicines vs. dependency on man-made technology whose life sustainability concerns are not being tested long-term. Please do not take these vital medicine components away from Americans! Thank You.
our right as an American, to choose how to treat our bodies. Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic, Allopathic, etc. give us the right to choose what works best for us in healing health issues. It is not a governmental decision to tell us how to heal ourselves. There is a place for many options and choices; It is about the NEEDS of our people. It is not about making $$$$$ for big pharma.