by Susanna Perkins

Created on: July 14, 2009

No. While I would feel safer knowing that the natural supplements and herbal remedies I take were regulated, the FDA has proven itself incapable of the task.

By its own admission, the FDA cannot protect the nation's food and drug supply. The Agency's own report, in November, 2007, blames inadequate funding and admits that "the Agency suffers from serious scientific deficiencies and is not positioned to meet current or emerging regulatory responsibilities" according to

Healingwell.com.

Expert Dr. A. Mark Fendrick from the University of Michigan, stated in the same article that the Agency's culture must change, and that, "While a substantial increase in resources will enhance the scientific capabilities and capacity of the FDA, funding alone will not address the" problem.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, the FDA faced strong Congressional oversight. Beginning in the 1980s, however, oversight of the FDA all but disappeared, leaving the Agency free from facing the consequences of its bad decisions (anyone remember Vioxx?).

In recent years, regulatory changes have put the drug companies in charge of FDA approval of new drugs. In place now is what amounts to a "pay to play" system, where the drug company pays for the evaluation of its product, and pays more if it wants approval expedited.

The FDA has made some absurd decisions in the past few years, such as accepting patented drugs made from slightly altering the molecules of a naturally-occurring plant-based substance, but refusing to approve the use of the plant itself.

Last Friday, the FDA approved a new drug thinner, called Effient, from Eli Lilly. However, the FDA study noted that patients taking Effient had "a greater risk of significant, sometimes fatal bleeding" when compared to the use of Plavix. And patients who had previously suffered a stroke had a higher risk of experiencing another stroke if they used Effient. The number of deaths was no better with Effient, so why did they even approve this drug?

So far this month (today is July 13th), the FDA website lists 30 recalls of food products and supplements due to possible health risks like salmonella. Obviously, they're not doing a very good job of policing our food supply, waiting until after people are sickened to take any action.

In June, 2009, the FDA issued a warning about the use of ADHD drugs causing sudden death in young children. Why were these drugs approved for children in the first place?

In March of this year, the FDA notified health care providers that certain medical transdermal patches can cause burns on patients who wear them during an MRI scan.

In February, the Agency posted a notice that chronic use of metoclopramide, a drug used to treat gastro-intestinal disorders, has been linked to uncontrolled spasms, even after the drug is no longer being taken.

The number of girls who have died as a result of HPV immunizations supposed to protect against cervical cancer in a small number of cases, is increasing, with even larger numbers suffering permanent injury.

In short, the FDA is doing a lousy job, and should not be entrusted with anything else unless and until they sort themselves out, divorce themselves from the drug companies, and do the job they are supposed to be doing now.

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