With the recent efforts of the Centers for Disease Control to gather info from the pub- lic on ways to reduce UV exposure, I have to give our adversaries grudging credit. They could write the book on how to use phony science, scare tactics and a well-oiled PR machine to get a willing government to do one’s bidding.
Can you imagine? The CDC – our nation’s premier public health institute – is work- ing on a policy that will further encourage Americans to turn away from the only natural process our bodies have for producing vitamin D and take pills instead… even when report after report indicates vitamin D deficiency is rampant in the population. We’ve always known that the FDA is susceptible to politics and pressure, but I have al- ways given the CDC more credit. I am afraid they don’t deserve it.
Right now, our old friends the Derms have a lot of the one thing our industry doesn’t have: money. They have used it to influence the media, Congress, and regulatory agencies. The CDC is their most recent target. Unfortunately, it is an important target.
The political climate is right for our adversaries and they are emboldened. Only one thing will change this – we as an industry have to step up. We have to work together. We have to show unity and pool our resources to work toward common goals. If our direction doesn’t change, nothing else will either.
Thanks,
Rob Quinn
