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Washington, D.C. — Raymond L. Woosley, MD, PhD, associate dean for clinical research at Georgetown University Medical Center, was honored Friday, May 4, with the Food and Drug Administration's Commissioner's Special Citation award.
Woosley received the citation for his "invaluable assistance" investigating the safety of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids (amphetamine-like compounds with potentially powerful stimulant effects on the nervous system and heart), caffeine and other ingredients.
After reviewing 135 reports of cases in which serious reactions were reported to the FDA between June 1, 1997, and March 31, 1999, Woosley concluded that ephedrine-containing supplements pose a serious public health risk with little or no health benefit. "Because many of the people injured were ingesting the products for exercise enhancement and/or weight loss, serious personal injury and even death have occurred in young people who did not experience any medical benefit from the products," Woosley wrote in his final report to the FDA.
"Dr. Woosley's invaluable work has helped the FDA fulfill its mission to protect the health and safety of consumers across the country," said Acting Principal Deputy Commissioner Bernard Schwetz, DVM, PhD.
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