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US Pharmacopeia Revs Up Certification Program
Rockville MD, 8 March 2002

Nature Made is first product line to be verified

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has announced that Pharmavite Corporation (based in Northridge CA) is the first company to participate in USP's Dietary Supplement Verification Program (DSVP). Pharmavite, one of the nation's largest dietary supplement manufacturers, will be the first company to submit its Nature Made vitamin and mineral product line through the DSVP certification process.

"We are extremely excited to have such a prominent dietary supplement manufacturer as Pharmavite to be the first company to participate in our DSVP program," said John Fowler, chief operating officer at USP. "Pharmavite, who also participated in the DSVP pilot program, understands the importance of the USP verification program and how it will help provide confidence and clarity to the dietary supplement purchaser."

"We are pleased to participate," said Tom Zimmerman, Pharmavite vice president for business development. "USP's reputation as a rigorous and thorough standard setting organization makes our involvement a logical choice."

The Dietary Supplement Verification Program (DSVP)

The DSVP program was launched in November 2001. It was created to help inform and safeguard the growing number of consumers who use dietary supplements. The program responds to the need to assure the public that dietary supplement products contain the ingredients stated on the product label.

If a product submitted to DSVP meets USP's rigorous standards, it will be awarded the DSVP verification mark. The mark helps assure consumers, health care professionals and supplement retailers that a product:

  • Contains the declared ingredients on the product label
  • Contains the amount or strength of ingredients declared on the product label
  • Meets requirements for limits on potential contaminants
  • Has been manufactured properly by complying with USP and proposed FDA standards for "good manufacturing practices" (GMPs)

Use of the DSVP seal

Once a Nature Made product meets DSVP's criteria, that dietary supplement product will be granted the use of the DSVP verification mark for display on the product's label. t is expected that Nature Made products will be able to start carrying the DSVP verification mark in the fall of 2002.

About Pharmavite Corporation

Founded in 1971, Pharmavite Corporation manufactures Nature Made® vitamins and minerals, SAM-e, Nature's Resource® herbal products, Optimize™ fiber/calcium beverages, and other supplements designed to promote health. Recently voted "Manufacturer of the Year" by the national trade publication Nutritional Outlook, and recipient of the 2001 Retail Excellence Award in the OTC-natural health category from Drug Industry News magazine, Pharmavite maintains one of the largest, most sophisticated research and development facilities in the industry and was instrumental in developing Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for supplements. For more information about Pharmavite, visit www.naturemade.com.

About the US Pharmacopeia (USP)

USP is a non-government organization that promotes public health by establishing state-of-the-art standards to ensure the quality of medicines and other health care technologies. These standards are developed by a unique process of public involvement and are recognized worldwide. USP has six public health programs focusing on promoting optimal health care: the Dietary Supplement Verification Program, Pharmacopeial Education, Health Care Information, Patient Safety, Veterinary Care, and the Public Policy Center. USP is a not-for-profit organization that achieves its goals through the contributions of volunteers representing pharmacy, medicine, and other health care professions, as well as science, academia, government, the pharmaceutical industry, and consumer organizations. For more information about USP, visit www.onlinepressroom.net/uspharm.

Source

US Pharmacopeia news release, 8 March 2002.end-of-story


 

 

   
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