Silver Spring, MD; Salt Lake City, UT-Two industry trade groups are teaming up in a joint effort to improve relationships with state attorneys general (AGs).
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) are taking the lead to educate state AGs about herbal supplements and how they are regulated. The goal is to provide resources to state AGs and their staffs and create industry advocates.
This move follows actions by NY AG Eric Schneiderman in 2015, who took action against several herbal supplement manufacturers, and other state AGs that want to launch similar probes.
According to a joint statement from AHPA and UNPA, "While the state AGs' actions may be well intentioned, an accurate and detailed depiction of the industry has yet to be conveyed. AHPA and UNPA's campaign provides an opportunity for industry to offer expertise on the comprehensive regulations herbal supplements must comply with, and the nuances unique to herbal supplement products."
Washington, D.C.-based law firm BuckleySandler and attorney Douglas Gansler (former AG of MD, and past president of the National Association of Attorneys General) have been hired by the groups to talk to state AGs about herbal supplements.
This campaign has been initially funded by several industry companies, including Emerson Ecologics, Essential Formulas, Herb Pharm, Indena, NOW Foods, Pharmavite, PLT Health Solutions and Thorne Research. Others wishing to contribute to the campaign should contact AHPA.
Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2016 (online 1/19/16)
