H1N1 flu outbreak
Beware of products claiming to be effective against H1N1 virus: HSA
SOME offer kits for you to do a home test for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Others claim to sell products that are the generic versions of antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza.
As fears over the H1N1 flu outbreak continue to grow, some quarters are already out to cash in on the health crisis, prompting Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to advise consumers to be cautious when buying health products claiming to prevent or treat the virus.
"These products could be offered at retail outlets, via unsolicited spam email or from the Internet," the HSA said yesterday.
Its advice echoed the one made by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has found at least 20 websites that may be marketing products falsely claiming to guard against or cure the H1N1 flu.
According to the HSA, Tamiflu and Relenza — the two antiviral drugs that have been recommended by the World Health Organization — are prescription-only medicines and should not be taken indiscriminately. The HSA has not licensed any "generic" versions of the two drugs.
There are also currently no over-the-counter diagnostic test kits available for a person to do a self-diagnosis at home.
The public, it added, should be wary of advertising gimmicks claiming that their products are "100 per cent safe" or offer "miracle cures".
"Consumers purchasing health products from illegal and unlicensed sources may end up not only wasting their money ... but more importantly, are subjecting themselves to unnecessary health risks," the authority said.
In Washington, the FDA on Monday publicly rebuked one of at least 20 websites selling health products related to the flu outbreak, reported the Associated Press (AP).
For US$199 ($293), the site offers a flu "protection pack" that includes shampoo, lotion, conditioner and soap that supposedly deposit traces of silver.
"Everything you need to protect yourself and family," the website says.
However, the FDA says no silver-based products have been approved for the H1N1 flu treatment or prevention, so it is illegal to claim such benefits.
Ms Alyson Saben, who heads a new FDA H1N1 flu consumer fraud team, told AP that the company in question had 48 hours to take corrective action or face criminal or regulatory action from the FDA. The company has since complied.
She would not identify the other sites until the FDA investigates their claims and makes a decision about their accuracy.
But she said these sites offer products such as antiviral medications being sold without a doctor's prescription, dietary supplements with exaggerated claims and flu diagnostic and protection kits.
"Unfortunately, we see that these deceptive products are being offered, and by purveyors of products that take advantage of the public's concerns about the virus,'' said Ms Saben.
"FDA will consider whatever means are necessary and available to us to stop the marketing immediately of unapproved, uncleared or unauthorised products," she added.
To report any suspicious sale of illegal health products here, call 6866 3485 (24-hour line) or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg
From TODAY, News – Wednesday, 06-May-2009
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