FDA sends 25 warning letters to companies selling
products falsely claiming to treat cancer
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Food and Drug Administration announces it
is cracking down on teas, supplements, creams and other products that
falsely claim to cure, treat or prevent cancer even though they are
not agency-approved drugs.
All are available for sale on the Internet.
25 warning letters have been sent to companies and individuals
marketing these products.
23 of the letters went to domestic companies and 2 were sent to
foreign individuals.
The statements made about these products are dangerous because they
could prevent a patient from seeking proper treatment for cancer.
They could also harm a cancer patient by interacting with other
drugs the patient is taking.
Michael Levy, director of the FDA's new drugs and labeling compliance
division: "The FDA is very concerned that consumers will purchase
these products on the Internet and use them instead of products that
have been proven safe and effective."
The letters criticized unproven claims made about these products
including the ability to "destroy the enzyme on DNA responsible for
cancer cells," and the power to "neutralize" carcinogens.
One product's Web site had a testimonial claiming it had cured a
patient's skin cancer in 3 days, according to one of the letters.
The ingredients of these unproven treatments include bloodroot, shark
cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, and a variety of
mushrooms among other products.
If the warnings are not heeded, the FDA will take action, including
seizure of the products and criminal prosecution.
David Elder, director of the FDA's enforcement office: "Health
fraud has been around for years, and it is a cruel form of greed.
Fraud involving cancer treatments can be especially heartless."
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On the Net:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/news/fakecancercures.htm http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/...aud061708.html
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FDA cracks down on frauds 
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