> Hi Denise,
>
> Red Yeast Rice was here long before Mevacor, so perhaps the 'grandfather'
> clause saved it. I'm sure the FDA would love to keep this one off the market
> for their buddies but to say it was chemically too similar to the prescription
> Mevacor as an excuse was idiotic, even for them.
>
> Jean
>
> *************************
>
> I did find an article on WholeHealthMD.com that mentions the FDA withdrawing
> it, it said, "In 2001, however, red yeast rice extract, a "natural"
> unregulated nutritional supplement, was withdrawn by the FDA. This decision
> followed the agency's determination that it was chemically too similar to the
> prescription statin medication Mevacor, and thus should be classified as a
> "drug," which by law is strictly controlled by the federal government."
>
> Denise
>
>
