What we accomplished exemplifies the true power of sustained relationship building and demonstrates how our nearly nine decades of advocacy experience continues to open doors and create meaningful dialogue with policymakers.
For nearly 90 years, NPA has walked the halls of Congress, not for ceremony, but for substance. And this year, as our members engaged with policymakers face-to-face, one truth was undeniable: The work we’ve done together has laid a foundation strong enough to carry our industry forward for generations to come.
In meetings with offices from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, NPA members advocated to:
- Modernize the so-called drug preclusion clause to protect innovation in the supplement sector.
- Expand access to dietary supplements through health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs).
- Clarify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authority over dietary supplement regulation, preempting state-level restrictions while allowing states to petition FDA for exemptions. Implement a multi-faceted approach to reduce U.S. dependence on China for dietary supplement ingredients.
Real advocacy: Beyond lobbying to relationship building
Real advocacy isn’t a transaction. It’s a relationship. It is not about who can deliver the loudest message in the shortest amount of time. It’s showing up consistently, telling the truth boldly and earning trust day after day, year after year, which is why NPA continues to be a recognized thought leader on policy shaping the natural products industry.
As NPA President and CEO Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., said, “You don’t just build those relationships overnight.” And he’s right. Our credibility on Capitol Hill has been built with decades of persistent and principled engagement.
Whether we are meeting with staff about the drug preclusion clause or discussing how mandatory product listing is a terrible idea, what sets our conversations apart isn’t just policy; it’s partnership.
Congressional offices didn’t just hear us; they engaged with us. Why? Because they know us, trust our expertise and understand the vital role our industry plays in American health and commerce.
That’s the difference between a lobbying effort and a legacy.
Advocacy with purpose: Our core mission in action
At the core of everything NPA does is a single, powerful belief: Every American has the right to access products that maintain and improve their health, and retailers and suppliers should be able to sell these products.
This belief shaped every issue we raised during Fly-In Day. Proposals to restrict supplement sales in over a dozen states aren’t just misguided, they’re dangerous. Our push to expand HSA and FSA eligibility isn’t technical; it’s transformational for families seeking better health options.
Our message was clear: Natural products are not a fringe phenomenon. They are essential. And we will not allow misinformation, regulatory overreach or political gamesmanship to stand between people and the products they rely on for better health.
Nearly nine decades of advocacy excellence
As NPA approaches its 90th anniversary in 2026, we have every reason to be proud of our legacy of advocacy, access and advancement. Since 1936, NPA has actively shaped the evolution of the natural products industry, transforming it from a niche market to a mainstream force that now represents over $60 billion in annual growth.
Our proudest achievement remains our pivotal role in the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994. This landmark legislation established the regulatory framework that continues to protect consumer access to dietary supplements while ensuring appropriate safety oversight. DSHEA represented one of the most significant populist movements in modern legislative history, and NPA was at the forefront of that effort.
Today, we represent over 500 members, accounting for more than 10,000 retail, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution locations. This growth reflects not only the expansion of our industry but also the trust that companies place in NPA’s advocacy expertise and our ability to effectively represent their interests in Washington, D.C. and in state capitals nationwide.
Our track record demonstrates that effective advocacy requires both consistency and adaptability. While our core mission has remained unchanged, our strategies have evolved to meet new challenges—from emerging regulatory frameworks to shifting consumer preferences.
Looking forward: Sustained engagement for continued success
The success of our 2025 Fly-in Day reinforces that advocacy is not just an annual event. It’s a continuous process that requires sustained engagement. As Dr. Fabricant emphasized, “This has to be a continual thing on everyone’s calendars.” The relationships we strengthen during our fly-in days must be maintained throughout the year via regular communication, timely information sharing and ongoing collaboration on emerging issues.
Our industry continues to face complex challenges. Meeting these challenges successfully requires the same approach that has served NPA well for nearly 90 years: building authentic relationships, maintaining unwavering focus on our mission and leveraging our collective voice to advocate for policies that protect consumer access to natural products.
As we move forward from this successful 2025 Fly-in Day, we do so with confidence that the relationships we’ve built and strengthened will continue to serve our industry and the millions of Americans who depend on natural products for their health and wellness. The next 90 years of NPA’s advocacy work starts with the foundation we’ve built today.
