Bogus HIV And Herpes Cures: Feds Crack Down

WASHINGTON -- Federal health officials are cracking down on bogus pills and supplements that their makers claim will cure or prevent sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, herpes and genital warts.

The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it has sent warning letters to a dozen companies selling non-prescription products with names like Medavir, Herpaflor and C-Cure. The agency said none of the products have been proven to treat any disease.

"These products are dangerous because they are targeted to patients with serious conditions, where treatment options proven to be safe and effective are available," said Deborah Autor, FDA's director of drug compliance, in a statement.

FDA scientists warned that patients could waste time taking them and delay seeking medical care. Most of the products are sold over the Internet, though some may be available at drugstores.

"Health scams that endanger the public health will not be tolerated," said Richard Cleland, assistant director for advertising at the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC and FDA both oversee advertising of health care products and announced Tuesday's action together.

A website for Medavir, made by Medavir Medical Advances, claims that the product "has been proven effective in several official university research studies – including an official FDA trial."

But the FDA has never approved any non-prescription products for sexually transmitted disease, according to federal officials. Drugs are available for herpes, chlamydia, HIV and other diseases, but only via prescription. The viruses that cause herpes and HIV are incurable, though symptoms can be managed with medication.

A website for Arenvy Laboratories' ImmuneGlory solution claims the product "strengthens your immune system so that herpes or cold sores have nowhere to hide." Calls placed to both companies were not immediately returned.

The companies cited by the FDA will have 15 days to take their products off the market. If they do not, the agency can take legal action, including seizing the products and taking company officials to court.

Federal law requires all products that claim to treat a disease to undergo federal scientific review. Dietary supplements that make health claims are required to bear the disclaimer: "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA."

Comments

[herpessinglesmeet]

04:14 AM on 05/11/2011

If you have or have been recently diagnosed with genital herpes you may be overwhelmed by emotions ranging from fear to anger to disbelief. Don’t let this minor and aggravating skin condition control your life. It's important to remember that you're not alone. There are millions of people all over the world who are currently living with genital herpes (HSV-2) at STDRomance

[Francois Skinzer]

11:10 PM on 05/04/2011

In addition to looking at banning these products, the FDA needs to look at:
1. Making drugs easier to come to the market. Vical, and Agenus have had great herpes cures/treatments in one of the phases the FDA requires for years. They don't have the money to move them forward. The FDA needs to shorten this process and thereby make it less expensive.
2. They need to increase research funding for these diseases, especially HSV. Please consider going to petitions2congress.com and search on herpes. Sign these petitions asking for increased research funding. HSV is now linked to Alzheimers, increased risk of HIV and Prostate Cancer!

http://www.petition2congress.com/3738/increase-herpes-research-funding/

http://www.petition2congress.com/3875/decrease-us-unemployment-find-cure-herpes/

[stape45]

09:55 AM on 05/04/2011

A nation of laws? Yeah, right.

[OverseasVet]

09:41 AM on 05/04/2011

The federal government will stop this on a small scale and then encourage the same thing on a massive scale by creating the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It makes no sense.

[onionboy]

06:43 PM on 05/03/2011

It's your genitals folks. Don't go on the cheap.

[sean62965]

05:17 PM on 05/03/2011

The FDA only approves drugs when told to do so. How many "approved" drugs have been pulled after many health and death issues?

[anytimecowboy]

03:45 PM on 05/03/2011

All you married women out there that think you are safe from HIV, take a look at the M4M section on craigslist. Your husband is there based on the number of ads i see from married men wanting sex from other men.

[justbenice]

03:50 PM on 05/03/2011

So true! I happen to know about this because I have way too many (in a good way) gay male friends and the stories they have about married men..... wow! Everyone should protect themselves, no one is safe. Well, except maybe the nuns. :)

[jettymichael]

01:26 PM on 05/03/2011

A note to modern day libertines. Please choose your mates wisely. 80% of the sexually active populace to chose from instead of going for cheap women. A fine taste should always be accompanied by a strong constitution.

[jen q]

10:03 AM on 05/04/2011

"80% of the sexually active populace to chose from instead of going for cheap women."

Or cheap men. They're equally responsible for diseases.

[jettymichael]

01:23 PM on 05/03/2011

Suppressive drugs are used to minimize the effect of a disease however at a huge cost to vital organs like liver and lungs.