Shapiro Quoted in Vitamin Retailer

Steven Shapiro was quoted in the Vitamin Retailer article, “Industry Questions New Bill Seeking to Address Tianeptine.”

A bill that seeks to amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act would give the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to prohibit certain ingredients that fail to meet its definition of dietary supplements. The bill is designed to halt the sale of tianeptine, also known as gas station heroin, an illegal and potentially deadly opioid-like ingredient.

Shapiro expressed that the FDA already has the authority to take action against any product including tianeptine, and that this could cost several millions of dollars that would be better spent elsewhere.

“I’m all for aggressive enforcement of the Food and Drug Act, but I’m concerned as to what the purpose of this bill is and how it would be used,” Shapiro said.