Evening star., 1962-03-15
(A) STRENGTHEN REGULA-
TORY AUTHORITY OVER
FOODS AND DRUGS

FOODS AND DRUGS
The successful development
of more than 5000 new drugs
in the last 25 years has saved
countless lives and i. relieved
millions Of victims of acute and
chronic illnesses. However, new
drugs are being placed on the
market with no requirement
that there be either advance
proof that they will be effec-
tive in treating the diseases
and conditions for which they
are recommended or tn e
prompt reporting of adverse
reactions. These new drugs
present greater hazards as we'll
as greater potential benefits
than ever before-for they are
widely used, they are often very
potent, and they are promoted
by aggressive sales campaigns
that may tend to overState
their merits and fail to in
Gicate the risks involved in
their use. For example, over 20
per cent of the new drugs
listed since 1856 in the publica-
ton, new and non-official
drugs. were found, upon being
tested. to be incapable of sus-
tanning one or more of their
sponsors claims regarding their
therapeutic effect. There is no
way Of measuring the nee d,ess
suffering, the money innocent
ly squandered, and the protrac-
tion of illnesses resulting from
the use of such ineffective
drugs.
The physician and consumer
should have the assurance
from an impartial scientific
source, that any drug or thera-
peutic device on the market to.
day is safe and effective for its
intended use; that it has the
strength and quality repre-.
Sented; and that the accom-.
panying promotional materia
tells the full story-its bad ef'
fects as well as it's good. They
| should be able to identify thr
: drug by a simple, common
name in order to avoid con
fusion and to enable the pur
l chaser to buy the quality drug
: he actually needs, at the loves
competitive price.
: Existing law gives no sue
assurance to the consumer
fact highlighted by the thor
= ough-going investigation led b
= Senator Kefauver. It is time t
i give American men, wome
e and children the same protec
: tion we have been giving hogs
I sheep and cattle since l91;
under an act forbidding tn
n marketing of worthless serum
: and other drugs for the treat
q ment Of these animals.
S Other Problems
There are other problems t
: meet in this area:
An extensive undergroun
g traffic exists in habit-formin
: barbiturates (sedativeS) an
a m p h e t amines (Stimulants
. Because of inadequate super
q vision over distribution, thes
! drugs are contributing to acc
q dents, to juvenile delinquenc
= and to crime.
Two billion dollars wort
O. OF cosmetics are markete
4 yearly, many without adequat
# safety testing. Thousands {
\ women have suffered burns an
:, other injuries to the eyes, ski
: and hair by untested or inads
quately tested beauty aids.
!. Factory inspections no
authorized by the pure foe
If and drug laws are serious
: hampered by the fact that II
n law does not clearly require tt
a manufacturer to allow inspet
,e ton of certain records. An III
= cooperative small minority
re manufacturers can engage
Is a game of hide-and-Seek wit
10 the Government in order
sr avoid adequate inspection. B,
ID protection of the public healt
n is not a game. 1t is of Wit
lie Importance to each and eve
Or citizen.
lie A fifth Of all the me
slaughtered in the Unite
er States is not now inspected
J. the Department of Agricultul
st because the coverage of Il
l. Meat Inspection Act is r
to Stricted to meat products mo
a. ing across State lines. This il