So many people use/buy herbs. The FDA does not evaluate their nutritional and medical values. Why the hell not?
2006-10-08 13:35:28 · 10 answers · asked by Teaim 6 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
The problem is HOW the FDA approval process works. All of the research is performed AND FINANCED by the pharma company applying for approval.
So... simple economics. If it costs thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours to get approved... you're much more likely to submit a drug you can sell for $120 a prescription, rather than an herb that sells for $3 at the local GNC.
Of course this means that outside of 'holistic' medicine, you won't find doctors telling you to take this herb or that. The pharma companies court them (very lavishly) to push the drugs that sell for $120 a prescription...
2006-10-08 13:48:05 · answer #1 · answered by dcnblues 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely right - you'd think it would be something that would be researched because it's something that is used for human consumption. The FDA I think only looks into things when it's going to make some money - it's not really controlled in the correct way.
2006-10-08 13:45:01 · answer #2 · answered by You'llneverguess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe me you do not want the FDA involved in herbal medicine. They will totally screw it up. But the short answer is the FDA is tasked with regulating synthetically made prescription drugs. You cannot patent herbals, therefore, they do not fall into the realm of the FDA.
2006-10-08 13:39:04 · answer #3 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
For one reason, the AMA (American Medical Association) is a powerful and corrupt organization that does not want anything interfering with their take of the drugs that they want you to buy. And their partners in crime, the drug companies, have many politicians in their pockets that will provide lobby for them and their drugs.
Bottom line, until citizens demand a change, it won't happen. You need to understand that the AMA tried for years to discredit anything other than western medicine. They still are active in doing that, but cannot beat the patients who are seeking alternative medicine to the tune of a few billion dollars a year.
2006-10-08 13:57:30 · answer #4 · answered by MadforMAC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the drug company's try ed years ago to get congress to ban all vi ts, Min's,& herbs .unless you had a prescription from a doctor YOU figure it out, it doesn't take a genius, well maybe you need to be told.the drug companys are a billions of dollars industrie. they PAY THE F D A OFF GET IT? ITS ALL ABOUT MONEY OK?they would try to control every thing .herbs do not need to be regulated.they can not make money on herbs,it has to be something they can make a lot of money on. do not let them control natural substances,
2006-10-08 13:40:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If they did, they would become control freaks. Yes, it would be nice to have it ackowledged that these herbal remedies work, but it would be bad to have to have a prescription to take them. The worst part is that some companies purposely try to keep natural cures hidden so that they can sell more drugs.
2006-10-08 13:51:00 · answer #6 · answered by juniper 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe its because they cant totally control it you can grow herbs anywhere, just like pot the Gov. wont fully legalize it because they cannot control it. a herbalist will tell you what you wont to know.
2006-10-08 13:50:12 · answer #7 · answered by shashonah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they can't even get the drugs right and you want them to jump into herbs too?
2006-10-08 13:36:40 · answer #8 · answered by Always Right 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pray that they don't. I don't want the government telling me what I can and can't use.
2006-10-08 13:43:40 · answer #9 · answered by warriorwoman 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because there itsn't a way to regulate them
2006-10-08 13:38:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋