homeopathic medicine

FDA Update: Submit YOUR Comments about Over-The-Counter Homeopathic Medicines to the FDA

All comments must be submitted online by June 22, 2015 here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2015-N-0540-0001.

As you know, FDA’s two-day public hearing to gather information about the current use of products labeled as homeopathic took place in late April.

The hearing focused specifically on FDA regulations of and labeling requirements for OTC homeopathic medicines.

This hearing was not held to discuss the efficacy of homeopathy, the ability of individuals to practice homeopathy, or to consider the removal of homeopathic remedies from the retail market.

But, FDA panelists also posed several questions about:

   • Consumer attitudes about homeopathy
   • Whether or not consumers have enough information to make informed decisions about purchasing homeopathic products over the counter (OTC)
   • And whether there is confusion at store shelves with placement of homeopathic medicines next to non-homeopathic medicines

Now You Can Help!!
The public hearing was the first phase of information gathering for FDA. The next phase of information gathering is a public comment period – which is now open and will remain open through June 22, 2015.

YOUR assistance at this time will be invaluable!

Help us get the following messages to the FDA:

   • Consumers have positive attitudes about access to over-the-counter homeopathic medicines
   • Consumers ARE able to make informed decisions about purchasing homeopathic products vs traditional OTC medications
   • Consumers want to find the right medicine for their symptoms in the appropriate category area of the store

We encourage everyone who uses homeopathic products to take 5 minutes to submit comments to the FDA about:

• YOUR own personal position and viewpoint regarding homeopathy
• YOUR understanding and practical knowledge regarding purchasing decisions of OTC homeopathic products

Guidance for Submitting Comments to the FDA

The most effective, meaningful comments will address:

• YOUR attitudes about homeopathy, and/or
• YOUR experiences making decisions about purchasing OTC homeopathic products

Why? Because THOSE TOPICS are what FDA is interested in gathering more information about.

2. We know many, many people have amazing stories to tell about how well homeopathy worked for them. For the purposes of this public comment period, those stories are going to be most meaningful when they focus on using homeopathy for common ailments that can be self-diagnosed and treated at home (like colds, allergies, headaches, minor injuries, etc.) rather than chronic or diagnosed-based conditions. Again, FDA is most interested in hearing about consumer attitudes towards and making decisions about purchasing homeopathic products in stores. Please try to limit your comments to these topics.

3. Pay attention to the length of your comments. Try to submit comments that are neither too short nor too long. For example, a comment with only a few words (like “I have no problems deciding which OTC homeopathic products to buy.”) is not really meaningful to those at FDA without some context (like an example of a purchase of an OTC homeopathic purchase that you made) for those at FDA to understand the circumstances of the decision making process. On the other hand, comments that run for pages and pages without really addressing FDA’s questions (or are tedious to read) will not be helpful to FDA’s goal of understanding consumer attitudes and experiences. So how long is just right? Just make sure your comment tells your story so that the FDA reps reading it will understand your experience. (But, if you’d like a little more guidance, we believe that comments between 300-600 words are probably going to be the most valuable.) And be sure to proofread before hitting submit!

4. Finally, remember to keep comments respectful and constructive. (Unfortunately, we have discovered that some individuals in the homeopathic community have sent very negative, disrespectful messages to FDA representatives about the hearing. We request that community members refrain from making any comments that are not respectful and constructive.)

All comments must be submitted online by June 22, 2015 here: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2015-N-0540-0001.

On the page:

• Make sure to uncheck that you are submitting comment on behalf of a third party.
• Select ‘individual consumer’ from the Category drop down menu.

"I am writing in regards to Homeopathic Remedies (H.R.).
H.R. are one of the most effective, & safest remedies that I know of and I have been using them since the 1980's. Not only are they safe, they are non-toxic and are ideal for children and pets.
They are fast acting, easy to ingest and have no side effects.
I have used them for: Sprains & bruises, puncture wounds, stings & bites, warts & skin tags,a pinched nerve, hot flashes, and kidney/urinary problems for myself and for my cats.
I love having them available over the counter, and I don't know what I'd do without them.
Thank-you for your "approval"."

Bala Falls: More on the Nine Months

Grannie Laughing Eagle: Today June 1st marks the start of the 9th month Peggy Peterson has been on site (or as close as she can safely get) at Bala Falls protecting them, the trees, the scenic beauty, and honouring the water from the development of an additional hydro dam at the falls...there were originally 2 hydro dams here, the first one built in 1917 upstream from the North Falls and a second one just below the North Falls, was built in 1824, decommissioned in 1957 because the hydro wasn't needed... there are two additional hydro dams downstream from Bala which are still producing hydro for the area.

What happens here in Bala affects many folks, both upstream into the Muskoka Lakes as the original control dam at Bala built in 1873 to help control the lake levels upstream, and the folks downstream.

Peggy may not be a local, originally from the French River area & now residing in Huntsville, and she may not have indigenous roots....but she is willing be present and speak up for all the folks affected by this project including the 4 First Nations and 2 Metis communities who live in this Oxtongue/Muskoka/Moon/Musquash watershed which extends all the way from Burnt Island Lake all the way up in Algonquin Park right through to Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (GBBR). Myself and others continue to honour the work she and others are doing to help Save the Bala Falls... Miigwetch for all that you do.

from Peggy: "I have great news to share
It is Monday June 1 2015 and my ninth month of being Idle No More and living beside the Traditional Wahta Mohawks Portage in Bala watching the Moon river form below Lake Muskoka in Bala.

I am feeling very blessed for the experience of the last nine months of Occupy Bala Falls and we know now that the project does not have all permits and permissions to start the project in Bala. There will be more details this week and we are very happy here today.

It has been an honor and a privilege to have have been part of this experience in in an inclusive peaceful proclamation of protection and as a Land and Water Defender.

Is is also true that we are collectively protecting this beautiful town from destruction by our own government for fake expensive unneeded electricity according to the Auditor General. Democracy is not for sale and neither is our water.

Turtle Island in Bala was established on Sept !, 2014 to ensure equal and consistent access to these public lands and this important Portage.

This has always been an All Nations effort to protect what is sacred including democracy in Muskoka. This has always been an effort to draw attention to the lack of respectful consultation with First nations and Metis people from this area.

The Supreme Court consistently supports these claims so nothing can happen to destroy this place for future generations.

I have tended and protected this land to the best of my ability and not a tree has been cut or a sign put up here so I think we have been very successful

I guess it is like having a baby, giving birth to a old way to taking care of our earth and our communities. The story of this is connecting all of us... "

Bala Falls: Nine Months

Peggy Peterson

Today is the nine month marker for my action and efforts to protect Bala Falls and all of Turtle Island .This is a picture of the High School students creating a music video to help our cause.

We are all so grateful to Rob Stewart and JONAH Bryson.

Please cone to Bala Muskoka and see what we are saving for future generations.

Peggy Peterson via Galactic Free Press

5 hrs ·

I have great news to share

It is Monday June 1 2015 and my ninth month of being Idle No More and living beside the Traditional Wahta Mohawks Portage in Bala watching the Moon river form below Lake Muskoka in Bala.

I am feeling very blessed for the experience of the last nine months of Occupy Bala Falls and we know now that the project does not have all permits and permissions to start the project in Bala. There will be more details this week and we are very happy here today.

Ie t has been an honor and a privilege to have have been part of this experience in in an inclusive peaceful proclamation of protection and as a Land and Water Defender.

Is is also true that we are collectively protecting this beautiful town from destruction by our own government for fake expensive unneeded electricity according to the Auditor General. Democracy is not for sale and neither is our water.

Turtle Island in Bala was established on Sept !, 2014 to ensure equal and consistent access to these public lands and this important Portage.

This has always been an All Nations effort to protect what is sacred including democracy in Muskoka. This has always been an effort to draw attention to the lack of respectful consultation with First nations and Metis people from this area.

The Supreme Court consistently supports these claims so nothing can happen to destroy this place for future generations.

I have tended and protected this land to the best of my ability and not a tree has been cut or a sign put up here so I think we have been very successful.

I guess it is like having a baby, giving birth to a old way to taking care of our earth and our communities. The story of this is connecting all of us...