IS THERE A DIET DRUG CONSPIRACY?

Over the last month popular anti-obesity medication, phentermine, has been banned in the European Union countries, patients in the United States are having difficulty getting a prescription for phentermine filled, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new effort to regulate ephedrine, one of the few effective over-the-counter medications used for weight loss.

Is there a conspiracy?

Rumors abound alleging the FDA has recalled phentermine as part of a world-wide conspiracy to eliminate effective weight loss medications from the market. Internet pharmacies (the kind that do on-line "consultations") are sending out letters telling patients that phentermine will be gone soon. What do you believe? Fortunately, the real facts are now on-line!

OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS has researched documents and interviewed the major participants to bring you a comprehensive review of the current phentermine and ephedrine situation in our April newsletter:

OBESITY MEDS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATION: IS THERE A CONSPIRACY?

In this special theme issue we not only bring you the facts, but tell you how to know whether the rumors you hear are true and where phentermine is available during the shortage.

In April we also cover the continuing FDA ephedra rulemaking, which has drawn criticism from many quarters. In the wake of over 800 adverse event reports the FDA asserts that ephedra should be regulated. Some experts believe that all botanicals should be removed from the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, while many consider ephedra safe, and the FDA's continued rulemaking in this area an unnecessary invasion of personal freedom. Who's right?

In this month's OMR we review the history of the ephedra rulemaking, and the science behind the politics. Don't miss our follow-up article on ephedrine and thermogenesis in May.

Contact information: Barbara Hirsch, Publisher, OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS, PO Box 19316, Alexandria, VA 22320- 0316, telephone: 703/960-3649; fax: 703/960-7462; e-mail: subscriptions@obesity-news.com. Visit our web site at http://www.obesity-news.com. On-line secure subscription form:

https://www06.tierranet.com/weightloss-news.com/form.htm

OMR is available in both on-line and hard copy editions.