Herbal Supplements Receive Different FDA Testing

Herbal products and dietary supplements don’t receive the same testing as FDA-approved drugs, and ads touting herbal remedies for serious illnesses have health officials in a difficult situation.

"I wonder how many people have died because they are not getting the appropriate treatment, and they're trying to use these 'cures,'" Dr. Bichlien Nguyen told the Los Angeles Times.

Nguyen says these pro-herbal ads can not only be misleading, but dangerous. Untested products are often popular in immigrant communities that have non-traditional means of treating illness. Health officials worry that some people are foregoing recommended treatments and, instead, choosing to take herbal medicines.

Health officials may take a range of actions against the companies producing false advertisements. The FDA can destroy said products if need be and civil lawsuits are also possible.

Of note, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the population of some Asian and African countries presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care.

If you or a loved one has been victimized by a dangerous drug, call Sokolove Law today for a free legal consultation regarding a dangerous drug lawsuit.

Tags: