Bush Contributions Linked to Ephedrine Manufacturers

NEW YORK--Texas governor and presidential candidate George W. Bush may not be as adamant about ephedra regulation as he once was. According to an article published in the May 14 issue of Time magazine, the Texas Board of Health eased up on the supplements after 1998 campaign contributors linked to the ephedrine industry donated more than $130,000.

In May 1998, health commissioner William Archer proposed to restrict sales of weight-loss products containing ephedrine. Soon afterwards, he allowed large manufacturers of the supplement negotiate how to market their product. Time said Archer "had gone from taking the actions of a crusading regulator to those of an industry ally." Archer's change of mind may have been ignited by Metabolife lawyers who had ties to Bush. Coincidentally, $40,000 was contributed to Bush's campaign the same time Archer was meeting with industry leaders.

Bush's healthcare adviser, Ron Lindsey, told Time that he supported Archer meeting with ephedrine manufacturers, although he does not feel he pressed Archer to forget his first regulation proposal. According to Bush's calendar, May 1998 was when he began meeting with manufacturers of the ephedra supplements, including Ralph Oats, owner of Wellness International Work, who also contributed approximately $90,000 to the G.O.P.

According to a spokesperson in the Governor's office, Bush was not involved in Archer's deliberations and had not discussed ephedrine with Metabolife's lawyers. Instead of wading through this issue in court, regulations were discussed by physician and consumer representatives through 'regulated rule making,' a popular mediation technique in Texas. Mike Jones, a spokesman in the Governor's Communications office, stated that Texas still has some of the toughest rules in America in regards to ephedrine products, where consumers need a prescription to buy these supplements. "Texan consumers are better protected than most consumers in accordance with this product," Jones said.

For further details, visit www.time.com or call the Governor's office at (512) 463-2000.