Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 23, 1994 TAG: 9408100009
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Several senators urged increased access to treatments such as acupuncture and herbal remedies as part of health care reform.
But a government official told them the proposal could expose patients to dangerous products and encourage ``old-fashioned quackery.''
The legislation would allow consumers to be treated by any licensed health care practitioner with any method of treatment a consumer wants, provided there is no evidence that the treatment is dangerous. If the treatment has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the health care provider would have to inform the consumer of that.
``There are many diseases for which we can offer no remedy, or the conventional therapies available have low success rates and are extremely expensive,'' Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, one of the bill's sponsors, said at a hearing of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee. ``People suffering from these diseases and conditions deserve the right to receive alternative treatments.''
But FDA Deputy Commissioner Mary Pendergast testified that the bill ``could needlessly expose patients to dangerous products'' because it does not require companies to test drugs or medical devices on animals before selling them.
``The safeguards in this bill will not protect patients,'' said Pendergast. She said about 80 percent of alternative treatments usually do not work or are harmful.
Pendergast said the proposal ``would provide a green light for charlatans and opportunists to prey on sick and uninformed and frightened consumers'' and would encourage ``old-fashioned quackery.''
by CNB