Prescription drugs take SEVEN years to approve, but suppliments get a free pass? Uhh, what?

[theclemsonkid]

So during my day at the cupcake shop, I listen to the same radio station every day, which means I hear the same commercials over and over again. There is one commercial that particularly irritates me, for something called "Final Trim". It makes so many ridiculous claims that I want to puke. "On average, patients in this weight loss study lost 30lbs". "Final Trim is made from all natural ingredients, so it's completely safe". "You don't need to change your diet, or exercise for Final Trim to work". "If two pills a day are causing too much weight loss, you can always drop back to just one".
There is so much wrong with all of that, but I digress.
My main question, how in the Hell does the FDA regulate prescription drugs like a hawk, usually taking SEVEN YEARS to approve a drug; yet they let these fly by night, possibly dangerous "supplement" companies skate by making them apply some stupid sticker that says "The FDA does not approve this drug and it is not intended to treat or cure any disease".
Did I miss something somewhere along the line? I would assume that it's about money. But no one has more money than pharmaceutical companies, and they make them jump through all kinds of hoops. So someone please enlighten me as to why these companies can continually scam consumers with absolutely no recourse.

 

[darthtang aw]

So during my day at the cupcake shop, I listen to the same radio station every day, which means I hear the same commercials over and over again.  There is one commercial that particularly irritates me, for something called "Final Trim".  It makes so many ridiculous claims that I want to puke.  "On average, patients in this weight loss study lost 30lbs".  "Final Trim is made from all natural ingredients, so it's completely safe".  "You don't need to change your diet, or exercise for Final Trim to work".  "If two pills a day are causing too much weight loss, you can always drop back to just one". 
There is so much wrong with all of that, but I digress.
My main question, how in the Hell does the FDA regulate prescription drugs like a hawk, usually taking SEVEN YEARS to approve a drug; yet they let these fly by night, possibly dangerous "supplement" companies skate by making them apply some stupid sticker that says "The FDA does not approve this drug and it is not intended to treat or cure any disease".  
Did I miss something somewhere along the line?  I would assume that it's about money.  But no one has more money than pharmaceutical companies, and they make them jump through all kinds of hoops.  So someone please enlighten me as to why these companies can continually scam consumers with absolutely no recourse.
It isn't a scam. Atleast no more so than your energy drinks. Just vitamins and fda preapproved ingredients.
http://www.consumerhealthreview.org/the-top-5-diet-pills/?gclid=CPX2j8WT2bQCFYp_Qgod9msA-Q

 

[beth]

Right. Basically supplements that don't serve much purpose so no need to regulate it.

 

[theclemsonkid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/394094/prescription-drugs-take-seven-years-to-approve-but-suppliments-get-a-free-pass-uhh-what#post_3507336
It isn't a scam. Atleast no more so than your energy drinks. Just vitamins and fda preapproved ingredients.
http://www.consumerhealthreview.org/the-top-5-diet-pills/?gclid=CPX2j8WT2bQCFYp_Qgod9msA-Q
Yeah, that totally looks like a legit site that isn't getting paid a ton of money to promote those products!

 

[reefraff]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheClemsonKid http:///t/394094/prescription-drugs-take-seven-years-to-approve-but-suppliments-get-a-free-pass-uhh-what#post_3507359
Yeah, that totally looks like a legit site that isn't getting paid a ton of money to promote those products!

The way the scam works is they are selling snake oil with approved ingredients in them. Until someone proves they don't do what the seller claims they can get away with it. SOP is to sell as much as you can, as fast as you can and once someone starts asking questions you end production of the product and roll out something new.
Unfortunately PT Barnum was right (how else can you explain a second 0bama term) but you can't fix stupid. People will believe anything. Back in the 1940's Dr. Pepper advertised a bottle of their soda had the nutritional value of a bacon and eggs breakfast. You should see some of the hokey medical devices that were sold in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

 

[theclemsonkid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/394094/prescription-drugs-take-seven-years-to-approve-but-suppliments-get-a-free-pass-uhh-what#post_3507368
The way the scam works is they are selling snake oil with approved ingredients in them. Until someone proves they don't do what the seller claims they can get away with it. SOP is to sell as much as you can, as fast as you can and once someone starts asking questions you end production of the product and roll out something new.
Unfortunately PT Barnum was right (how else can you explain a second 0bama term) but you can't fix stupid. People will believe anything. Back in the 1940's Dr. Pepper advertised a bottle of their soda had the nutritional value of a bacon and eggs breakfast. You should see some of the hokey medical devices that were sold in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
And here is the answer:
In 1994, Congress enacted the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). This act allows for the marketing and sales of “dietary supplements” with little or no regulation. This act is the work of folks like Tom Harkin (who took large contributions from Herbalife) and Orrin Hatch, whose state of Utah is home to many supplement companies.

 

[geridoc]

As long as a supplement does not make a specific claim, they are free to be marketed without any scientific basis behind them. Typically, they will say that the product "supports prostate health", or whatever organ. Such a claim is so completely vague that it is impossible to disprove-so, off to marketing goes.