Government Investigating Ephedra Manufacturer
WASHINGTON, DC — September 6, 2002 — The Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation of Metabolife, the manufacturer of the ephedra–containing dietary supplement, Metabolife 356 (FDA News, August 25, 2002). Used for weight loss and bodybuilding, ephedra has been associated with deaths, heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.
The government questions whether Metabolife President Michael Ellis lied when he stated in a 1998 letter that the company was not aware that Metabolife caused health problems. The Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly tried to obtain Metabolife’s “adverse event reports,” which would list any consumer medical complaints. On the day that the criminal investigation began, Metabolife finally agreed to turn over 13,000 complaints, which will be reviewed by the agency (San Diego Union–Tribune, August 23, 2002). The Department of Health and Human Services is also studying medical reports about ephedra.
California Bill to Control Dietary Supplements
In response to the risks posed by Metabolife 356, California Senator Jackie Speier introduced S.B. 1750 to require warning labels on dietary supplements such as ephedra and steroid hormone precursors (includes androstenedione used for muscle building). The labels would include a toll–free FDA telephone number to allow consumers to report side effects. The bill would also prohibit sales of the substances to minors under the age of 18 years. S.B. 1750 has passed both houses and is on the desk of California Governor Gray Davis for response (California State Senate Bill Information, choose Senate in drop–down box next to House; type “1750” in the box next to Bill Number; click on Search).
At Brayton Purcell, we are concerned with consumer health and committed to helping people avoid any injuries from unsafe medical drugs, both herbal and traditional. For more information about medical drugs and your legal rights, please feel free to contact us.