Is DEA lowballing U.S. need for ephedrine products?

DEA has been accused of underestimating the amount of ephedrine needed by the country in Rx and OTC products for 2007. In a hearing on DEA oversight before the House Judiciary Committee this month, Edward Heiden of Heiden Associates testified that for one of his clients alone, 2005 sales of ephedrine-related products exceeded the amount DEA proposed as its preliminary 2007 annual needs estimate by more than seven times. Heiden, a consultant, represents the American Council on Regulatory Compliance, an association representing manufacturers, importers, and distributors of ephedrine-based products to convenience stores and others. Heiden claims that DEA's low estimate creates hardships not only for suppliers but also for asthmatics who have a legitimate medical need and who rely on convenience stores in locations where other retail outlets are nonexistent or closed at night.

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