Commerce Associations Congratulate RFK Jr. on HHS Secretary Affirmation

On Feb. 13, politician and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK) was confirmed as the subsequent Secretary of Well being and Human Providers (HHS).

The Pure Merchandise Affiliation (NPA), the Council for Accountable Vitamin (CRN), the American Natural Merchandise Affiliation (AHPA) and the Shopper Healthcare Merchandise Affiliation (CHPA) congratulated Kennedy on his affirmation and expressed their hopes for his tenure.

“CHPA and its member corporations sit up for working with Secretary Kennedy to advance insurance policies that can improve American customers’ entry to secure, efficient, and inexpensive self-care choices. With a rising demand for OTC medicines, dietary dietary supplements and OTC medical gadgets, it’s crucial that our nation’s well being care leaders develop entry, streamline regulatory pathways and reinforce public confidence by means of clear, data-driven choices,” mentioned Scott Melville, president and CEO of CHPA.

“AHPA acknowledges the significance of open dialogue with HHS and different regulatory businesses to deal with, reform and enhance insurance policies that govern natural merchandise and dietary dietary supplements, and welcomes new alternatives to advocate for longstanding priorities on behalf of the group. In occasions of nice change, AHPA’s mission and values stand fixed. We sit up for working with Secretary Kennedy to assist a steady, thriving marketplace for helpful, well-regulated natural merchandise and dietary dietary supplements,” AHPA mentioned.

In line with CRN, dietary dietary supplements play a crucial function in filling nutrient gaps, supporting wholesome pregnancies, selling bone and immune well being and contributing to total wellness. The affiliation mentioned is shares Kennedy’s imaginative and prescient for a well being care system that “prioritizes proactive wellness methods and giving customers a full vary of options to assist them keep wholesome.”

CRN can also be desperate to work alongside HHS and Congress to “modernize regulatory oversight” in order that it upholds public well being and shopper belief whereas fostering innovation and development in a $64 billion business.

“We stand able to collaborate with Secretary Kennedy and the Administration to champion a proactive, prevention-first strategy to healthcare—one which prioritizes selling particular person well being empowerment, expands shopper entry to trusted, science-backed dietary options, and reduces the burden of continual illness on the healthcare system,” CRN mentioned.

In line with NPA, Kennedy has strongly advocated for accountable regulation that ensures dietary dietary supplements stay secure, efficient and extensively accessible. His management will likely be instrumental in addressing key points for the business corresponding to labeling necessities, free speech associated to well being claims, revising outdated laws and safeguarding the provision chain.

Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of NPA, known as Kennedy’s appointment a “new day” for People and folks globally.

“As People more and more search entry to dietary dietary supplements and pure merchandise to assist their well being and well-being, it’s important to have HHS management that understands the worth of those merchandise,” Fabricant mentioned. “Mr. Kennedy has lengthy demonstrated a dedication to transparency, fostering open dialogue on public well being issues and defending the suitable of people to make knowledgeable selections about their well being. His management aligns seamlessly with the objectives of the Pure Merchandise Affiliation and the broader mission of the Division of Well being and Human Providers.”