The fda mission statement reads in part:

"The fda is responsible for protecting the public health
by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of human
and veterinary drugs, biological products ., our
Nations food supply ."

"The fda is also responsible for . helping the public
get the accurate, science based information they need
to use medicines and foods to improve their health."

With that mission statement in mind, let's take a look
at this tragic situation:

As reported by the Associated Press on February 14th,
2005 –

Canada has ordered the removal of a drug for adhd –
Adderall XR, Because of links to 20 sudden deaths
and 12 strokes from people taking this drug.
14 of these deaths were children and 2 of the 12 strokes
were children who were taking the drug.

None of these deaths or strokes took place in Canada
and none of the reactions were from misuse or abuse of
the drug. The reactions were from normal consumption
of the drug.

Canada is also asking makers of similar drugs for
treating this condition, "to provide a thorough
review of their worldwide safety data."

In stark contrast to the Canadian reaction, here is the
statement from the United States fda –

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, however,
said it had evaluated the same reports on Adderall XR
and doesn't think the data warrants similar action in
the United States."

Let's get this straight – Canada has ordered the drug
to be pulled off the market in their country.

And the fda says it is alright that 2 children have suffered
strokes and 14 children have died from using this drug.

Canada cares about the health of its children and does
not want any deaths to happen in their country.

However, the fda has a very different view.

This is the fda statement posted on their website last week:

The fda says it "does not feel that any immediate changes
are warranted in the fda labeling or approved use of this
drug based upon its preliminary understanding of Health
Canada's analysis of adverse event reports and fda's own
knowledge of the reports received by the agency."

When will the fda care about America's children?

When will the fda care about the people of America?

Let's review the fda mission statement one more time.

"The fda is responsible for protecting the public health
by assuring the safety, efficacy and security of human
and veterinary drugs, biological products ., our
Nations food supply ."

"The fda is also responsible for . helping the public
get the accurate, science based information they need
to use medicines and foods to improve their health."

I'm not sure when you'll be asking yourself, "Is the
fda really looking out for my health?"

Sources: Associated Press "Canada orders drug for adhd
off market", February 14th, 2005.

Nutritional Health Alliance, Washington Update,
February, 2005.


About the Author
Lee Cummings has been helping real
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