 |
Congressional Threats To Discount Vitamins
Author: Freelance Writer  | Posted: 22-05-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 7 | Rating: (50)  (?) 
Many people use discount vitamins and dietary supplements, but few give them much thought. Nutritional supplements are available at many retail locations as well as online. Without much thought or preplanning, any person can get the vitamins and supplement products they desire. Discount vitamins and supplements are affordable, accessible, and available for everyone - for now. The Senate has already passed bill S.3546 and the House of Representatives has their own version HR.6168 on the docket. If Congress passes the Adverse Event Reporting bill as it pertains to vitamins, supplements, and over the counter medications, all that affordability, accessibility, and availability could become a thing of the past.
If passed, the Adverse Reporting Bill would require a reporting system in which any adverse side effects or health conditions attributed to dietary supplements would be recorded. Unfavorable reactions including but not limited to death caused by an overdose, any form of hospitalization, incapacitation, or effects caused by the drug not performing as expected will have 15 days to be passed along to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It is very likely that many of the adverse reactions would be falsely attributed to discount vitamin or nutritional supplements, even if the reactions occurred completely independent of the supplements. Take, for instance, heart attack patients. It has been reported that 60% of heart attack sufferers take some type of dietary supplement. While it would be easy to conclude that the dietary supplements are causing the heart attacks, the fact of the matter is that individuals with heart problems are avid users of nutritional supplements as an effort to improve their health and live a healthier lifestyle.
The passing of the Adverse Reporting Bill would actually put nutritional supplements, discount vitamins, and over-the-counter medications under closer scrutiny than their prescription counterparts, despite the fact that many prescription medicines are known to have potentially severe side effects. One of the requirements of the Adverse Event Reporting legislation would be for all supplement manufacturers to have a toll-free number listed in each and every label for consumers to call to report adverse reactions, something not currently required by prescription drug manufacturers.
This bill will have serious financial effects on the entire vitamin and supplement industry. Because the Adverse Reporting Bill would open the entire industry up to lawsuits, the insurance companies will waste no time in jacking up premiums or dropping coverage altogether for the vitamin and supplement manufacturers. It could very well let the financial liability rest on the shoulders of the manufacturers, raising their overhead or driving them out of business altogether. Establishing the toll-free reporting hotline and staffing it will be another expense. And the operators on this hotline will not just be fielding calls from legitimate individuals calling in to report an adverse reaction, but will most likely have more calls coming in for reasons completely irrelevant to the situation. Manufacturers will also have the arduous task of keeping labels updated and complete on the possible side-effects of or allergens contained in each supplement. Such legislation could also lead to expensive recalls of products.
The Adverse Reporting Bill affects not only the manufacturers, but also the retailers and the consumers. Obviously, the additional cost to manufacture the supplements is going to be passed down to the retailers and the consumers. Many smaller mom-and-pop shops operate on minimal profit margins. Increasing their expenses is a near certain death sentence to their businesses. They simply will no longer be able to compete with the larger retailers. Not only that but the discount vitamins that consumers currently find so affordable, available and accessible may not be so easy to come by. Again, the manufacturers' increased operating costs are going to be passed on to the consumer.
Supplement shoppers are going to see the cost of their favorite products skyrocket and what was once an affordable measure in maintaining a healthy lifestyle will become more of a luxury. It will also effect where consumers are able to purchase their vitamin and nutritional supplements. Currently discount vitamins can be purchased online; at the local pharmacy, grocery store, or discount merchant (such as Target or Wal-Mart); at the mall; a local health food store; or the little vitamin shops on the corner. As costs go up and profit margins decrease, many of these retailers will stop carrying supplemental products as it will no longer be a profitable product line. Shoppers will no longer have easy access to the supplements they want and will have to look harder and longer to find what they need. Many products may get pulled from the shelves altogether - not because they actually pose a health risk, but because the data may be skewed or misread. (Recall the previous example of 60% of heart attack sufferers being on some kind of dietary supplement.) It is very possible that many of the supplements that thousands of people use every day without problems could be recalled and production stopped altogether - forever.
Millions of people use discount vitamins and nutritional supplements every day as a more natural approach to maintaining good health and in a more holistic approach to treatment of certain ailments. Glucosamine is used to maintain healthy joints and/or treat stiff joints. Millions of women rely on calcium supplements for the prevention of osteoporosis. Multi-vitamin supplements help ensure balanced nutrition and to fill in the gaps that poor dietary habits can create. Protein supplements are vital to those who have chosen a vegetarian or vegan way of life. Adverse Effect Reporting will strip millions of the opportunity to take control of their own health and to avoid prescription medications.
This bill is a lucrative opportunity for the large pharmaceutical companies to drive out the smaller manufacturers and increase their monopoly over the health care industry. Many of these pharmaceutical companies have already entered the supplement industry and by getting rid of the competition, they can force consumers to buy their products at a largely inflated price, increasing their market share and their profits.
There is something that the citizens of the United States can do to prevent this bill from being passed by Congress. It's time to let the representatives of the people know exactly how the people feel. The following Senators are proponents of the Adverse Event Reporting Bill. Opponents of the bill can write to the Senators - and write often - to let them know that the people are outraged at their efforts to take away discount vitamins and supplements!
Dick Durbin
Fax: (202) 228-0400
Tom Harkin
Fax: (202) 224-9369
Orrin Hatch
Fax: (202) 224-6331
Michael Enzi
Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Fax: (202) 228-0359
And it never hurts to contact the local representatives either. Important information about the Bill and its various forms is available at http://www.NHA2006.com. Concerned citizens can join the Nutritional Health Alliance for information on current activities and reports about relevant congressional bills.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/congressional-threats-to-discount-vitamins-151511.html
About the Author:By a freelance writer for http://vitanetonline.com/ who sells quality vitamins and herbs with a wide selection of Discount Vitamins that are in stock and ready to ship. Please link to this site when using article.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Discount Vitamins For Healthy Eyesight
By: Freelance Writer | 22/05/2007 | Medicine
In the last ten or so years, the link between healthy eyesight and discount vitamins has grown tremendously. Many think eyesight begins and ends with whether glasses are needed for an individual or not. What we miss paying attention to are the types of diseases, infections and other eye health...
Four Good Reasons To Buy Discount Vitamins
By: Freelance Writer | 11/12/2006 | Medicine
Purchasing discount vitamins online does not mean giving up quality or effectiveness of the supplements. In fact, there are many good reasons to purchase online versus shopping retail. These reasons include low cost, high quality, ease of ordering, and the ability to get just what is wanted or needed without...
Pets Need Discount Vitamins Too
By: Freelance Writer | 25/01/2007 | Medicine
Discount vitamins are a boon for all mammals, whether they have two legs or four. Some pets have particular ailments that would benefit greatly from adding supplements to their regular diet. Even the birds and reptiles in the family can benefit from better nutrition, and all pets will be happier...
Increase your Energy, Stay Healthy, Live Longer
By: Max Woody | 10/02/2007 | Health
Have more energy, sleep better and feel great. An all natural way to excellent health. Find out what thousands of other people are now experiencing every day and loving it.
Lowering Your LDL Cholesterol With Niacin
By: James Penn | 16/02/2007 | Non-Fiction
Have you got your lipid profile checked yet? If not, you need to do so as soon as possible. You may wonder why, and what this is all about. It is about lowering the cholesterol level in your blood so as to reduce the risk of getting a coronary heart disease, which may prove fatal
How to Look Younger - Alternate Anti-aging
By: Sonja Prough | 20/05/2007 | Alternative Medicine
The skin care market has made billions of dollars each year on women trying to appear younger. this does not need to be happening because of the natural remedies you can use at home. Not only are they natural, they are good for you and will give you younger looking skin.
By: | 31/12/1969 |
By: | 31/12/1969 |
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I am 48 yrs old, since Feb of 2008 have abnormal ...
By: tinalsamuel | 09-07-2008
I am 48 yrs old, since Feb of 2008 have abnormal periods. This past one after an 8 day cycle stopped bleeding for 1 day then bled bright red heavy for 23 days. Had ultrasound which reports Prominent vasculature within the adnexal regions bilaterally. Does anyone know what this means?
Would you get braces in Mexico
By: BellaX | 09-07-2008
Would you get braces in Mexico if you lived nearby and knew he was reputable?
Asthma
By: lovealot9 | 09-07-2008
If you never had asthma and were in a un ventalated room 12*12 and you were exposed for a undertemined amount of time to vapors from a chemical could or would that cause you now to become asthmatic still after 1 year and 4 months?
Scientists discover fountain of youth
By: Osgood Fielding III | 09-07-2008
Scientists have discovered that eating less can help you live longer. According to research just published, eating 15% less can add 4 years to your life. But is it worth it? I dunno about other people, but I eat because I enjoy it. I don't think it would be worth it for me to restrict my enjoyment just to live a few more years.What is your opinion? Would you eat less if it added a couple of years to your life?
Colon Surgery
By: Lorain | 08-07-2008
How successful is colon surgery on a 72 year old woman, with no other health problems?
Appendix
By: christina | 08-07-2008
how can i get myself to have my appendix burst
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Medicine Articles
Do Antibiotics Cure Sinusitis?
By: Joel Owens | 25/07/2008
Different kinds of arguments can be heard on whether antibiotics can cure sinusitis or not. But do not join those who easily conclude, whether they are for or against antibiotics for sinusitis. Learn for yourself by getting to know the various factors involved in reaching a decision.
Common Risks of Liposuction
By: Steven Walters | 25/07/2008
Liposuction can be a great way to get the sculpted look you want for your body. Just make sure that you're aware of the possible risks.
Benefit of Green Tea to Diabetes
By: Kritnaphat N. | 25/07/2008
Green tea consists of high nutritional and medicinal values. Many research studies has resulted that drinking green tea lowers total cholesterol levels as well as improving the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol and also decreased the growth of cancer levels.
Green tea consists of most powerful antioxidants and green...
Chines Medicines For Aging
By: David Klein | 25/07/2008
Aging is a natural process. But that doesn't mean you would just have to sit back and let it take its toll on your face. There are ways you can delay the signs of aging. And it is all but a matter of using the right procedure for it. When...
Chinese Medicine For Celiac
By: David Klein | 25/07/2008
The Celiac disease is a problem with digestion. It is triggered by gluten, the protein found in pizza crusts, cookies, pasta, and breads. It can also be obtained from foods that contain rye, wheat, and barley. Certain oats may have gluten as well. When you eat these foods, there could...
Chinese Medicine For Cough
By: David Klein | 25/07/2008
Chinese medicines are widely used in the East for a lot of diseases. Common ailments such as coughs and colds are no exception. There will always be Chinese herbs that can effectively cure usual health concerns such as these. There are different types of cough. Some are due to phlegm...
Chinese Medicine For Infertility
By: David Klein | 25/07/2008
Infertility is a major problem facing couples and newly weds. The treatment for infertility has been under research since the early days. And from 200AD onwards, there had been many ways to conceived and treat infertility. Couples can now try several methods of addressing this problem. And the role of...
Abnormal Ovarian Cysts : Types, Causes And Treatments
By: Mary Parker | 25/07/2008
Abnormal ovarian cysts are very different from functional cysts since they have resulted from abnormal cell growth. However, that need not mean that they are all cancerous as most of them are simple benign growths. And none knows for sure what has caused them to grow. However, abnormal ovarian cysts...
More from Freelance Writer
Discount Vitamins Help To Lower Cholesterol
By: Freelance Writer | 17/07/2007 | Medicine
Doctors rarely suggest discount vitamins and herbal supplements as an option to lower cholesterol levels. Many within the medical community are sometimes too quick to prescribe expensive prescription medication for people having problems lowering their cholesterol through diet and exercise alone. These medications typically come with many troublesome...
Liquid Versus Tablet Discount Vitamins?
By: Freelance Writer | 16/07/2007 | Medicine
Back when moms made their kids swallow their Castor Oil, vitamins were usually delivered in liquid or tincture form. Modern times increased the popularity of pills, capsules, and even injections for B Vitamins, but which is the most effective delivery system? There are people who can't take pills, but is...
Tips For Storing And Handling Vitamins
By: Freelance Writer | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
Most consumers today automatically believe that storing discount vitamins in the bathroom medicine chest is the norm, only to find out later that it is actually one of the worst places to keep them. Supplements and vitamins are comprised of a variety of ingredients, and if not stored properly, can...
Are Organic Discount Vitamins Healthier?
By: Freelance Writer | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
As organic foods and juices become more popular, organic vitamins are also showing up on shelves and web sites. Consumers obviously appreciate the absence of dangerous pesticides, foods in their more natural state, plus more careful processing, but are organic supplements worth the extra price? Even with the organic discount...
Minerals And Metals Are Important For A Healthy Body
By: Freelance Writer | 19/06/2007 | Medicine
When browsing online for discount vitamins it is important to consider what our body requires and where exactly our diets are lacking. Our bodies use many chemical elements for many different functions and it is important to replace these elements since they gradually wear thin with our daily functioning....
Discount Vitamins For Healthy Eyesight
By: Freelance Writer | 22/05/2007 | Medicine
In the last ten or so years, the link between healthy eyesight and discount vitamins has grown tremendously. Many think eyesight begins and ends with whether glasses are needed for an individual or not. What we miss paying attention to are the types of diseases, infections and other eye health...
Campos Do Jordão, Brazil
By: Freelance Writer | 02/05/2007 | Destinations
If you want to visit a city with a tipically tempered climate but that is located in the tropics then you should visit Campos do Jordão in the brazilian state of São Paulo. It is located more or less in between 3 well known capitals of Brazil: Rio de Janeiro,...
The Importance Of Discount Vitamins When Dieting
By: Freelance Writer | 19/04/2007 | Medicine
Congratulations to the millions of people who have decided to change their diets and adopt a healthier lifestyle. What they are doing for themselves will add years of happiness to their lives, give them a stronger sense of well-being, and they will experience a better overall self image. ...
|
|
Health 
