A nationwide ban on the sale dietary supplements containing ephedra is effective immediately, the Food and Drug Administration said, following a failed attempt by two manufacturers to get a court order to stop the ban.
“We will take appropriate enforcement actions if needed to stop manufacturers from illegally selling and distributing dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids,” Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. “These products pose unacceptable health risks, and any consumers who are still using them should stop immediately.”
Two manufacturers had asked a United States District Court in New Jersey to enter a temporary injunction to prohibit the FDA from enforcing the ban. But the court rejected their request.
“Dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids have been shown to pose a real risk to health,” said Dr. Lester M. Crawford, Acting FDA Commissioner. “The court’s decision today makes clear that these dietary supplements may not be lawfully marketed while the matter remains under review by the Court.”
In February the FDA issued a rule prohibiting the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra because such supplements present an unreasonable risk of illness or injury. The rule was to become effective sixty days from when it was issued.
(via U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
4 responses so far ↓
Joy // Apr 12, 2004 at 3:24 pm
This ban is ridiculous. All because some users of Ephedra use it as a form of speed and do not take it as directed, does not mean it should be banned. I’m sick of the government(big brother) looking over our shoulders, telling us what we can and can’t consume.
BRENDA KREITZ // Apr 28, 2004 at 8:56 pm
SAD TO SAY, I USED IT FOR MY BRONCITIS W/O HAVING TO GO TO THE DR. I COULD BE BREATHE FREE IN 3 DAYS OR LESS. 1 BOTTLE (30) LASTED A YEAR SOMETIMES. SINCE FOLKS ABUSE EPHEDRINE AND IT’S BANNED BECAUSSE OF THIS, ALCOHOL SHOULD BE NEXT. HOW MANY ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS ARE ACCURING EACH DAY? BIG BRO’S GONNA TAKE THAT AWAY NEXT, AND MAYBE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES TOO?
W. PIERCE // Apr 21, 2005 at 8:55 am
I have a great success story for the use of ephedra. I was taking it in a dietery supplement form under the care of my doctor. I lost over 100 pounds in 9 months five years ago. I have since kept that weight off by eating right and working out at the gym. If it wasn’t for that pill I probably would’ve died of being obese. I didn’t abuse it. And it’s infuriating that the gastapo government we have is banning this life saving pill. I think they need to at least let doctor’s have the right to perscribe it or not. Give strict guidlines on how to use it. It made a difference in my life from being 210 pounds to a healthy 108 pounds, for my petite frame. BRING BACK EPHEDRA!
Amanda // Aug 13, 2005 at 5:19 pm
I agree completely with all of you! I was losing weight like crazy and had tons of enery while using products with ephedra in it. I stopped taking them because of the ban and now I have gained back all the I lost and more. I tried to take other products with the ephedra not in them but they just didn’t work as good! Oh well… I guess I’ll have to do it the oldfashioned way!!
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