Many are outraged at the European Parliament's March 13th decision to pass the "EU Directive on Dietary Supplements". The directive labels vitamins and natural remedies such as lysine, chromium picolinate and selenium as medical drugs rather than the current classification of "food supplements".

In 2005 it will be illegal to sell these supplements over-the-counter in every European Union (EU) country. It will be required that those wanting to use the supplements obtain a prescription from a doctor.

Many believe that the directive has been pushed by the pharmaceutical companies for their own financial benefit rather than the Parliament's claim that it is for the protection of consumers. If consumers can no longer purchase supplements over-the-counter, pharmaceutical companies will eliminate competition.

Those claiming this conspiracy support their belief by citing the example of Frits Bolkenstein, a well known EU Commissioner. Bolkenstein is also a member of the advisory board of Merck, Sharp and Dohme, the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world.

604 million people have already expressed their displeasure at the directive by signing a global on-line petition to maintain free access to natural remedies. Many signers include United States citizens as well.

Considering the fact that the United States and the European Union are each other's largest trade and investment partners many fear that the US could try to adopt similar legislation.

From Health Sciences Institute