Prempro

Through the Cracks More recent studies have downplayed the heart disease risk, but in the meantime, anti-aging doctors have stepped in to fill the void, promoting natural, or "bio-identical," hormones as safe alternatives.

Critics take issue with these products for several reasons.

First, bio-identical hormones are made by so-called compounding pharmacists.

Historically, they have been permitted by law to customize medications for individual patients - for example, people who react adversely to certain ingredients.

But under FDA rules, they should not be manufacturing or selling drugs to a mass market.

To get into that business, they would have to submit to strict supervision of their facilities, the quality of their products, the claims on their labels, and the like.

Critics blast the FDA for letting too much activity slip through the cracks.

The second big complaint involves the very term "bio-identical." The hormones prescribed by anti-aging doctors are generally derived from plants such as soybeans and sweet potatoes, and combined into proprietary recipes, which may never be tested in human trials.

Anti-aging proponents say the substances are natural, safe alternatives to FDA-approved hormones such as Prem...

The study contained NO data suggesting that BHRT was dangerous.

In fact, there is no scientific data available that supports this claim.

"It is unconscionable that Wyeth claims to be acting in the best interests of women and their health while continuing to market Premarin, and simultaneously undermining proven safe and effective treatments," said Dr.

Hotze.

As a result of the WHI study, Wyeth suffered a $1.2 billion (68 percent) decline in the sales of its Premarin line between 2002 and 2004, which led to the closing of one of its manufacturing plants.

Yet, Wyeth refuses to pull Premarin from the market.

"Wyeth's actions have nothing to do with a concern for a patient's health; rather it has everything to do with eliminating its competition through overregulation.

At stake is a woman's right to make the healthcare choices that are right for her without the interference or undue burden of the federal government," concluded Dr.

Hotze.http://www.usnewswire.com/ -0- /© 2006 U.S.

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