Letters to the editor:

Why has USA TODAY joined the "witch hunt" against natural supplements? Your article "Maker of dangerous pain pills is 'ghost' that can't be found" is not the first such article I have read. While there is a need to find those who are harming people, what about the pharmaceutical companies?

Drug overdose deaths, mostly from "legal" pharmaceuticals supposedly vetted by the Food and Drug Administration, have surpassed auto accidents as a cause of accidental death in this country. There is more of a need to revamp the FDA and to rein in the pharmaceutical companies.

Carolyn Carr; Newport Beach, Calif.

USA TODAY's article on pain pills highlights the dangers of Reumofan, an illegal drug product that is unlawfully marketed as a dietary supplement. The article misleadingly identifies this tainted product as a dietary supplement. However, it is unlawful for Reumofan and other drug adulterated products to be marketed as dietary supplements. The Food and Drug Association accurately refers to these products as tainted products that masquerade as dietary supplements.

The article also suggests that the FDA needs product registration authority to prevent already-illegal products such as Reumofan from entering the U.S. marketplace. However, companies involved in these types of unlawful activities are actively evading current laws and regulations. Continuing enforcement of current laws and regulations, including criminal prosecution, would most effectively address these situations.

The American Herbal Products Association fully supports enforcement of current laws and regulations to protect consumers from tainted products marketed as dietary supplements.

Michael McGuffin, president, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA); Silver Spring, Md.

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