Download Echinacea Not the Miracle Drug for Tomorrow

Echinacea
Not the Miracle Drug for
Tomorrow
Teresa Cantwell
Issues of Science and Technology
Nora Demers
The Issue
 Today,
there is not enough research done
on nutraceuticals, such as Echinacea, to
be readily available to the public.
 Nutraceuticals
 FDA
 Echinacea
Nutraceuticals
 What



is it?
Combination between pharmaceuticals and
nutrition
“any substance that is a food or a part of a
food and provides medical or health benefits,
including the prevention and treatment of
disease.”
American Nutraceutical Association
Popularity


This chart shows the demand for nutraceuticals in the
United States (even without regulation)
According to American Chemistry
The Food and Drug Administration
 The
FDA started in 1962 and it wasn’t until
1994 (Clinton Administration) that they
started to address dietary supplements
and nutracetucials.
 The FDA places regulations on food and
drugs for the U.S.
 FDA
Dietary Supplement Health and
Education Act
 1994
President Bill Clinton
 FDA no longer has responsibility, the
companies putting the drugs on the shelf
are responsible for them
 Problem: The public is unaware of the lack
of FDA approval and is often mislead by
the drug company’s marketing
Labeling
 “This
statement has not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. This
product is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease.”
 Although items are marketed as one thing,
this statement is used as a disclaimer
How to get a drug passed through
the FDA
 Three
step process costing approximatly
$300 Million
 This all depends on the type of drug up for
application
 For a general drug: Review Process
Echinacea

Purple Cone Flowerseveral different forms
used within the medical
field
 E. purpurea, and
Echinacea angustifolia
are the most popular
forms used for colds and
immune systems
 According to: American
Family Physical
History
 Began
with Native Americans using it for
things such as colds, coughs, sore throats,
infections, and veterinary needs.
 1762- John Clayton learned about the
herb and brought it back to Europe
 The Herb flourished in the U.S., as well as
in Europe (Germany) where the herb is
still remains popular today.
History…

1887- Echinacea began its official use in the
medical practice.
 1930-The FDA releases information stating that
there is no affect on the immune system from
Echinacea: popularity decreases in the US, but
remains in Europe still today.
 2002- Studies show that retailers sold
approximately $58 million in Echinacea products
Echinacea Today

Since the 1930 nothing has been done in the
United States as far as research on Echinacea
until today
 Studies show now that the two most popular
forms of Echinacea do nothing for a humans
immune system
 Studies also found that 483 people had bad
reactions, 33 people were hospitalized, and one
person who experienced a life threatening
reaction Hurley, 2007
Echinacea

Germany Studies found that:




People with any kind of autoimmune disease should
not be taking Echinacea.
It is also found that there is not a standardized
answer to Echinacea because there are so many
types
www.aafp.org/afp/20030101/77/html
Science Daily:


“can trigger immunosuppressant, causing poor would
healing and infection” – in regards to surgery
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/02/06021
4225847.htm
Negative Findings
 The

News-Press:
“The federal government’s National Center for
Complementary and Alternative medicine
says scientific studies indicate that Echinacea
doesn’t appear to prevent colds, nor does it
shorten their duration.”
Who is Responsible?
 Consumers?


Not reading the labels
Not being informed
 FDA?

Not taking responsibility
 Drug


Companies?
Mis-marketing
Not informing the public
Video on Echinacea
Echinacea
Solution
 Everyone
is responsible: I believe now that
the best way to solve this issue is to make
small changes everywhere:



Consumers need to read the labels, as well
as read up on drugs they are taking.
The FDA needs to create new regulations that
puts these nutraceuticals in a new category.
Drug Companies need to properly market
their products.