Tuesday November 7, 9:32 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Ephedra Education Council
Response to the NEJM's Publication of a University of California San Francisco Report on Ephedra by Christine A. Haller, M.D., And Neal L. Benowitz, M.D.
Statement From the Ephedra Education Council
WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from the Ephedra Education Council:

``Haller's and Benowitz's findings represent old information that has already been reviewed by scientific and medical experts. In August, a panel of experts reviewed and discredited the same adverse events, many of which were deemed irrelevant by FDA. The expert panel, which included leading scientists from around the country with backgrounds in cardiology, cardiac pathology, toxicology and neurotoxicology found that there was no association between Ephedra and serious adverse events when it is taken as directed. Additionally, the conclusions and summary data from an important new large, long-term and well-designed clinical study conducted at Harvard and Columbia Universities on Ephedra were released on November 1st, after the NEJM article was completed. The researchers' conclusions from that study provide strong support for the safety and usefulness of Ephedra products, and contradicts Haller and Benowitz's conclusions.

Industry does, and will continue to support warning labels that inform the public of potential risks. However, it is important to remember that obesity itself is considered a threat to public health, and that Ephedra has been proven safe and useful in combating this growing public health crisis with millions of Americans finding it useful in managing their weight.``

The Ephedra Education Council is supported primarily by members of the Ephedra Committee of the American Herbal Products Association, a recognized leader in promoting the safe and responsible marketing of dietary supplements. The Council provides factual information to the media and public about dietary supplements containing Ephedra. For more information, logon to http://www.EphedraFacts.com.

SOURCE: Ephedra Education Council

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