CONFERENCE ON PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING PRODUCTS
TO BE CO-SPONSORED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND INDUSTRY TRADE ASSOCIATION

-Healthcare Professionals, Coaches, Industry Reps, Journalists Encouraged to Attend-

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 14, 2001 — Olympic Gold Medallist and sports commentator, Donna de Varona, will be the keynote speaker at the Conference on the Science and Policy of Performance-Enhancing Products, a two-day meeting to be held Jan. 8-9 at the Natcher Center on the campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md.

This ground-breaking conference, organized through a public-private partnership, is co-sponsored by the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), the government organization overseeing research related to dietary supplements, and the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), one of the dietary supplement industry’s leading trade associations. The Conference is also supported by the following NIH components: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the Office of Research on Women’s Health and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.

Intended for healthcare professionals, coaches, trainers, scientific researchers, industry representatives, academicians, students, regulators, policy makers and journalists with an interest in understanding what the latest scientific evidence tells us about performance-enhancing products, the Conference will also examine and assess related policy issues.

The program agenda includes sessions on patterns of use, stimulant ingredients and challenges facing sports medicine health professionals. Presenters and panel members include representatives from organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

"Sports nutrition supplements accounted for $1.6 billion in U.S. sales last year and are clearly an integral part of the overall dietary supplement market," said John Cordaro, president and chief executive officer, Council for Responsible Nutrition. "Our industry believes it is important for everyone involved with these products to understand and take responsibility for the role these products play in the field of sports nutrition. We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with the Office of Dietary Supplements in an effort to further educate the public."

Paul Coates, director, Office of Dietary Supplements, adds, "This conference is particularly timely, taking place in the month prior to the Winter Olympics. With organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) questioning the use of these products, we welcome an open presentation and discussion."

Registration fees for the two-day Conference are $200 for industry professionals, $100 for academia or healthcare professionals, $50 for students when registered prior to Dec. 21. After Dec. 21, an additional $75 will be added for industry, academia and healthcare professionals and an additional $25 for students. Registration fees are waived for federal employees. For more information on the program agenda, registration and continuing education opportunities, visit www.crnusa.org/PEP.html.

The Office of Dietary Supplements, located in the Office of the Director of NIH, is charged by Congressional mandate with conducting and supporting research related to dietary supplement efficacy and safety.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), founded in 1973, is a science-based trade association representing more than 100 companies in the dietary supplement industry, including ingredient suppliers and manufacturers. CRN members adhere to a strong code of good ethics, comply with dosage limits and manufacture dietary supplements to high quality standards under good manufacturing practices.

Note to Editor: Accredited journalists are invited to cover the conference free of charge. For more information, to register, or to confirm accreditation, journalists should contact Judy Blatman at CRN (202-263-1005) or visit the website at www.crnusa.org/PEP.html.