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The rush to market suspect and unapproved H1N1 `swine flu’ remedies and preventatives has been met forcefully by the FDA in recent weeks, with a growing list of products and activities on their website.
Generally these products run afoul of the FDA because of the claims of their promoters that they can cure or prevent a disease.
Some of these products may have legitimate uses, but are included in this list because they are not cleared, approved, or authorized for the diagnosis, mitigation, prevention, treatment, or cure of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
Before you make a purchase on the Internet of a product that claims it will protect you or your loved ones from the swine flu, take a few minutes to check this list.
Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List
Information current as of noon May 22, 2009
71 entries in list
This list is intended to alert consumers about Web sites that are illegally marketing unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products in relation to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus (sometimes referred to as the “swine flu” virus). Note that until evidence to the contrary is presented to FDA, the owner of the listed Web site is considered responsible for promoting the unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized products. The uses related to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus are not necessarily being promoted by the manufacturers of the products.
Consumer Considerations about the Products List
- This list does not include every Web site that is marketing products related to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus without FDA approval, clearance, or authorization, only those Web sites to which FDA has issued a warning letter.
- Even if a Web site is not included in this list, consumers should exercise caution before purchasing over the Internet any product purporting to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat, or cure the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus.
- Please note that some of these products may be approved or cleared by FDA for other medical uses. The fact that a product is listed on this page indicates ONLY that the products are not cleared, approved, or authorized for the diagnosis, mitigation, prevention, treatment, or cure of the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.
Once included, all Web sites and products will remain listed. After FDA has verified that the products or the objectionable claims related to the 2009 H1N1 Flu Virus have been removed from the Web site, this information will be added to the list.
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2 comments:
It's true that unscrupulous people will take advantage of a situation. But it is also true that herbal medicine has thousands of years of practice in some countries such as China and India and that there are thousands of reputable and very well trained traditional herb practitioners in the U.S.
The problem is that the only model of health care in the U.S. is the American Medical Association. But note that the AMA is no supporter of vitamin supplementation for example.
The FDA is not exactly a saint, either. The FDA has acted hostile towards the DSHEA congressional law of 1994 (dietary supplement access and information). And the FDA tried to redefine "disease" to thrwart sale of dietary supplements. Sound familiar?
With only one choice (Tamiflu) and washing of hands what can people do?
Sure, if it sounds too good to be true...you should be suspicious.
But there are other methodologies than the AMA. Naturopaths and Acupuncturists use alternative medical products and are licensed by the individual state. But a license does not make a safe practitioner.
People WILL find what works and they will tell their friends. But people should do the homework on the product and the company or practitioner selling the product.
I'm not `anti' natural or alternative medicine.
And I have hopes for a number of `unconventional' therapies helping during a pandemic.
But there is a difference between selling a supplement, and making extraordinary claims about its efficacy against a particular pathogen.
That, I believe, is where most of these vendors are crossing the line.
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