Dietary supplement warning system lacking The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not have enough information to adequately protect people who use dietary supplements, a new draft report from the Office of the Inspector General contends. The report recommends the FDA take a series of steps to fix the problem. Approximately 60 percent of Americans take some sort of dietary supplement, such as vitamins, minerals, botanicals or amino acids. The report notes that the FDA does not require reporting of "adverse events" -- illness or injury -- that might be associated with a supplement. Instead, the agency relies on voluntary reports of such events from consumers, health professionals, and manufacturers. Furthermore, the report contends, the FDA lacks much of the information it would need to analyze such reports, identify areas of concern and take action. Among the problems, it says, are lack of adequate medical and product information, limited information from consumers, and limited ability to analyze trends. Responding to the report, an FDA spokesperson said, "The agency has a system in place to monitor adverse events and is looking into ways to improve its system." [04/12/2001; Cable News Network] Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.