FDA targets H1N1 advice

October 21, 12:23 PMSan Diego Wellness ExaminerKim Chartrand

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Dep. FDA commissioner Goldman swears to protect you?  AP S. Walsh

You may not know this but much that has been written in this wellness column is a potential target for prosecution by the FDA. The recommendations to prevent and treat H1N1 flu by means other than vaccine and anti-virals is against the law. Don’t believe me? Check out the FDA regulations! They are going after anyone who dares suggest that you can help yourself stay well by any means other than what legalized drug pushers (Big Pharma) can sell you.

In wellness circles and beyond, everyone knows Dr. Andrew Weil, a respected physician on the leading edge of integrative medicine. Dr. Weil advocates healthy lifestyle changes that include herbs, yoga, breathing exercises and other means of promoting well being. On October 14, 2009, the FDA issued a warning letter stating that “The FDA has determined that your website offers a product for sale that is intended to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 Flu Virus in people. This product has not been approved, cleared, or otherwise authorized by FDA for use in the diagnosis, mitigation, prevention, treatment, or cure of the H1N1 Flu Virus.” And what did Dr. Weil attempt to foist upon the American public? His website said the following:

"[D]uring the flu season, I suggest taking a daily antioxidant, multivitamin-mineral supplement, as well as astragalus, a well-known immune-boosting herb that can help ward off colds and flu. You might also consider. .. the Weil Immune Support Formula[,] which contains both astragalus and immune-supportive polypore mushrooms…..and has been well studied for its antiviral and immunity-enhancing properties."

Nothing Dr. Weil wrote is untrue! Astragalus has been used for centuries with great success in infections and the NIH has several studies that show the immune boosting benefits of antioxidants. Because he said his product could “help” that was interpreted as “mitigation” in the wording the FDA uses. In that sense, every mother who cooks chicken soup for her sick child because it "could help" them feel better could be accused of being misleading because mom suggests something that might “mitigate” the symptoms of the flu. Why does the FDA feel the need to so aggressively target business entities that are offering options to help people feel better without the vaccine? Could it have anything to do with the expected revenues that the pharmaceutical industry will make on the H1N1 hoopla (The most recent estimates have Glaxo alone making $4.8 billion from the pandemic, between its Pandemrix vaccine, its Relenza antiviral drug, and other products such as face masks and flu diagnostics).

Another business I advocate and support is Washington Homeopathics in Maryland. I even mentioned them in a recent article about using Influenzinum homeopathically for flu prevention. On October 6, 2009, they received a letter to cease and desist from “misleading” the public. Ms. Malarkey (whose name rather suggests what this whole thing is about) might not be aware that in the 1918 flu homeopathic hospitals and remedies played a big role in the prevention and treatment of those with influenza. Homeopathy is not roundly accepted by conventional medicine much like other healing options, but it has helped a number of people stay and get well. Just ask Queen Elizabeth of England and her family who have a personal homeopathic physician.

 The flu hysteria has gotten completely out of hand and the government mandated “party line” gouges deeply into the American tradition of choice, freedom and the premise that people are smart and can make intelligent choices. Clearly, the FDA does well to protect against those making truly false claims of a cure, but to target those who merely say “this may help” seems to be the kind of protection that does not serve our overall wellbeing and health.