FDA Issues Warning about Certain Homeopathic Remedies

January 17, 2012, 08:00:00AM. By Heidi Turner

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San Francisco, CA: It is not that every homeopathic remedy is a scam. The problem is when homeopathic fraud occurs; when a person or company markets a product that has no proven benefits and can, in fact, harm people. In such cases, consumers may be able to file a homeopathy fraud lawsuit, alleging they were injured by the use of the homeopathic product.

Homeopathy is based on a principle that medicine that resembles the symptoms of a condition assists your body in healing itself. Such remedies are controversial because it is not known exactly how they work, and because the claims made by homeopathic care providers or companies that market homeopathic remedies are often unsubstantiated. Depending on the condition being treated, the homeopathic remedy is usually available over the counter or via prescription. If the remedy is intended to cure minor conditions, such as a headache, then the remedy is self-prescribed by the patient and available over the counter. If it is for major conditions, such as cancer, it is prescribed by a physician.

The FDA has sent warning letters to companies that market homeopathic remedies, warning them about what they can and cannot say about their products. For example, on June 8, 2010, an FDA warning letter was sent to Homeopathy for Health, warning the organization that its website offered products to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 Flu Virus in people, despite the products not having been approved by the FDA for such purposes.

In cases where a homeopathic product is marketed to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure a condition that is considered a nationwide public health emergency—such as the H1N1 Flu scare—the FDA can take action against the product's makers.

More recently—in December 2011—the FDA announced that HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) weight-loss products that are sold over the counter and identified as "homeopathic" are illegal and make unsubstantiated claims. HGC weight-loss products, in the form of oral drops, pellets and sprays, are often sold in combination with low-calorie diets along with promises to lose 20 pounds in 30 days. The FDA notes, however, that the weight loss is caused by diets that allow for only 500 calories a day and not due to the use of HCG.

According to the FDA, HCG is approved to treat female infertility but not as a weight-loss drug. Furthermore, the prescription label reportedly acknowledges that there is no evidence that use of HCG increases weight loss beyond what would normally be lost under extreme caloric reduction.

An HCG advocacy group is appealing the FDA's announcement.

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