Ephedra studies

The Ephedra Education Council has assembled a panel of researchers to study the supplement ingredient's safety profile in light of FDA's recent AER review, the industry group announces July 25. EEC charges FDA's approach to ephedra safety "has serious scientific limitations," echoing past comments by Metabolife and the General Accounting Office (1"The Tan Sheet" Aug. 9, 1999, p. 3). The council has asked FDA that the panel, chaired by Stephen Kimmel, MD, University of Pennsylvania, be permitted to present its findings at the Aug. 8 public meeting on ephedra (2"The Tan Sheet" June 12, In Brief). Metabolife is among the sponsors of a safety study conducted by Carol Boozer, St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York City, who is evaluating data and will attend the public meeting