FDA builds case to ban ephedra

The government began building the case toward a possible ban of the popular herb ephedra Friday by proposing strong new warning labels that the pills can cause heart attacks and strokes or even kill.

The warning labels--first proposed in 1997 but blocked until now by the powerful dietary supplement industry--could be on every bottle by year's end, the first in a series of Food and Drug Administration steps that could limit, if not stop, the herb's use.

But the FDA rankled consumer advocates and some members of Congress by stopping short of an immediate ban of the amphetaminelike stimulant used for weight loss and bodybuilding. The FDA said despite reports of at least 100 deaths linked to ephedra use, it had not yet compiled enough proof of danger to stand up in court under a 1994 law that severely limits federal safety oversight of dietary supplements.

''This is not the end of the story,'' promised Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, saying a full ban was still possible and the new FDA actions would serve to build the case. ''Throughout America, there continue to be tragic incidents that link dietary supplements containing ephedra to serious health problems.''

Meanwhile, Thompson advised people, especially athletes or exercise lovers, not to take the herb-- advice that comes two weeks after the latest high-profile death of an ephedra user, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler.

''I would not take this, I would not give it to my family, and I don't know why anyone would take these products,'' Thompson said, pointing to a new review of ephedra by the Rand think tank that found it does nothing to enhance sports performance and causes only temporary loss of a few pounds. ''Why take the risk?''

Critics called the Bush administration action a timid step that will cost lives.

Thompson ''needs to show the courage to ban this product and be willing to stand up to protect American families,'' said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who said he has counted a half-dozen ephedra-linked deaths just in the six months he has urged Thompson and the FDA to declare the herb an imminent hazard and stop sales.

''Frankly, he should be a lot more afraid of the deaths and injuries from ephedra than of facing attorneys in court,'' Durbin added.

The American Medical Association praised the action but said more was needed. ''The new steps represent real progress toward what we hope will ultimately be a ban on ephedra dietary supplements in the United States,'' AMA trustee Ron Davis said.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee promised hearings on whether a ban was necessary, and the consumer group Public Citizen said it was considering suing the FDA to force a ban.