Harkin, Hatch Endorse USP Supplement Program

Harkin, Hatch Endorse USP Supplement Program

ROCKVILLE, Md.--Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) andOrrin Hatch (R-Utah) sent a letter of commendation to the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)for its Dietary Supplement Verification Program (DSVP). In its letter, thesenators noted the DSVP could serve as a complement to the role of the Food andDrug Administration (FDA) in strengthening the public's confidence in dietarysupplements. "We welcome the development of mechanisms such as DSVP thatcan help inform consumers about the quality of dietary supplements in themarketplace," they wrote.

USP (www.usp.org) launched theDSVP in November 2001. It is designed to ensure supplements contain theingredients stated on the product label in the stated amounts, and that theyhave been manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMPs).Supplements that meet program criteria can carry a DSVP certification mark onthe label.