Nutraceuticals aren't drugs

This letter responds to the article authored by Dave Anderton and published in the Business Section on Jan. 10 titled "Dietary data legislation opposed." In his article, Anderton asserted that Nutraceutical Corp. is opposed to notifying the government when its products cause adverse side effects.

This is incorrect. Nutraceutical Corp. opposes the proposed legislation that was debated at the event attended by Anderton but does not oppose the reporting of adverse events associated with its products. A system for reporting AERs already exists, and there has been no evidence that it does not work at least as well as the proposed legislation.

Nutraceutical does not object to reporting adverse events. It objects to the creation of an unnecessary and burdensome additional reporting system that treats supplements like drugs that will only lead to confusion. As Anderton's article indicates, supplements are safe, and, there is no valid reason to treat them like drugs.

Bruce R. Hough

president

Nutraceutical Corp.