New “21st Century Cures” Bill Is Yet Another Gift to the Pharmaceutical Industry

It’s called a 21st century bill, but this extraordinarily dense legislative proposal follows an old, 20th century paradigm: if there’s an illness, create some new government-subsidized drugs to throw at it. Action Alert! The “21st Century Cures Act” is close to 400 pages long. If enacted, it would dramatically alter the ways pharmaceutical and medical device products are… Continue reading New “21st Century Cures” Bill Is Yet Another Gift to the Pharmaceutical Industry

Compounded Meds Will Cost You More (or Disappear Altogether!) Because of FDA’s Attack on “Office Use”

Once again the rogue agency is thumbing its nose at members of Congress. Action Alert! Last week we told you about the new threat to compounded drugs from the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) and asked you to send a protest message to USP. Our thanks to the many thousands of you who responded. Now the US Food and… Continue reading Compounded Meds Will Cost You More (or Disappear Altogether!) Because of FDA’s Attack on “Office Use”

Which Supplement Companies Are Recommended by Experts?

In September we offered a list of supplement companies recommended by the experts. Our readers responded with their suggestions, and after further research we have expanded our list. If readers have further thoughts and suggestions, please continue sending them in! All companies listed are high quality supplement producers and known for their manufacturing standards, testing, and… Continue reading Which Supplement Companies Are Recommended by Experts?

The New Congress: What’s In Store for Natural Health?

One of integrative medicine’s greatest foes got re-elected. But it’s not all bad. Here’s an overview of what we can expect in the months ahead. State-based Action Alert! The 114th Congress was sworn in on January 3. Republicans now control both chambers, but lack the supermajority needed in the Senate to pass legislation—and of course President… Continue reading The New Congress: What’s In Store for Natural Health?

On Balance, 2014 Has Been a Good Year for Natural Health—Thanks to Your Activism and Support

We couldn’t have done it without you, and the help of other health advocacy organizations. Much more remains to be accomplished in 2015. Nutrition Facts Panel FDA proposed a new 109-page set of rules for revising nutrition and supplement labels. It included a provision that would have banned the word “folate” from supplement labels, even though… Continue reading On Balance, 2014 Has Been a Good Year for Natural Health—Thanks to Your Activism and Support

We’ll Be Looking for Sneak Provisions in This Week’s Must-Pass Budget Bill

Natural health foes may once again try this deceptive trick to enact legislation to benefit Big Pharma or Big Farma. Negotiations between the House and the Senate are currently underway to pass a $1.1 trillion appropriations bill. It or something else must be passed by Thursday night if a government shutdown in January is to… Continue reading We’ll Be Looking for Sneak Provisions in This Week’s Must-Pass Budget Bill

Compounding Pharmacies File Suit over “Unlawful” Insurance Claim Denials

Companies claim that the blanket denial of coverage of compounding ingredients is against federal law. It could also affect access to critical natural health products. Action Alert! In August we told you about pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—companies that process prescriptions for insurance companies and corporations, and use their size to negotiate low prices with drug makers and pharmacies. They… Continue reading Compounding Pharmacies File Suit over “Unlawful” Insurance Claim Denials

Feeling Pressure from the Public, NIH Opens the Books on Clinical Trials

Researchers may now have to make clinical study results public— even if the results run counter to the interests of Big Pharma. Action Alert! In response to mounting concerns that important health data has been kept hidden from physicians and their patients, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services… Continue reading Feeling Pressure from the Public, NIH Opens the Books on Clinical Trials