The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) urged National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Francis Collins to increase the budget of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) for fiscal year (FY) 2015 to at least the same level of the prior fiscal year. 

AHPA President Michael McGuffin's letter to NIH notes that if this request cannot be met for FY 2015, Dr. Francis should consider increasing the ODS budget for FY 2016 to at least the 2014 level. McGuffin stressed that funding the office at the FY 2014 level would help ensure that ODS can continue its important work on behalf of the public.

AHPA considers the functions of ODS to be vital to the more than half of Americans who use dietary supplements. This work includes information ODS produces for the public, such as its nutrient recommendations and fact sheets on individual supplements and product categories. ODS also provides financial support to other qualified institutions to increase research, research tools, communications, and science-policy interactions.

"It is critical for ODS to receive sufficient funding in order to continue providing accurate information for supplement consumers and to support other organizations that help increase informed access to the best quality dietary supplement products that Americans have come to demand," McGuffin said.

View AHPA’s letter to ODS here.