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From: Califchief on 19 Sep 2008 01:04
FTC urges skepticism about cancer cure claims, charges false advertising
Thursday, September 18, 2008 15:37 EDT


WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Trade Commission charged five companies
with making false and misleading claims for cancer cures and today said
that it has reached settlements with six others.

Lydia Parnes, director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection: "As long
as products have been sold there has been somebody out there selling snake
oil to consumers,"

She said the FTC, along with the Food and Drug Administration and
Canadian authorities, is launching a consumer education campaign warning
about bogus claims for cures.

Parnes: "There is no credible scientific evidence that any of the
products marketed by these companies can prevent, cure, or treat
cancer of any kind," said

The products the companies marketed include essiac teas and other herbal
mixtures, laetrile, black salve (a corrosive ointment) and mushroom
extracts.

Richard Jaffe, a Houston attorney who represents Native Essence Herb
Company - one of those named by the FTC - argues that the government is
trying to censor his client.

The company sells herbs over the internet and advises people that some
herbs have a historical use for treatment of cancer and other medical
conditions, he said.

That is a truthful claim, he said, adding that because an herb was used
by ancient Chinese or native Americans doesn't mean it works, "which
most people understand."

In addition the agency wants to block reports on trials in other parts
of the world, he said, because they might imply a claim.

"In our view it's a battle between the right to speak and the government's
censorship," Jaffe said.

Douglas Stearn of the FDA said his agency is concerned that people may forgo
effective cancer treatments when choosing these products. In addition, he
said, some of these unproven products may have dangerous interactions with
other drugs.

"We would urge folks to talk to their doctors," said Stearn.

Parnes said more than 100 warning letters were sent out and many advertisers
dropped or changed their claims.

Of the complaints resolved by settlements, she said companies paid
restitution ranging from $9,000 to $250,000.

The remaining five complaints of false and deceptive advertising will go
before administrative law judges, she said.

Those cases are Omega Supply, San Diego, Calif.; Native Essence Herb
Company, El Prado, N.M.; Daniel Chapter One, Portsmouth, R.I.; Gemtronics,
Inc., Franklin, N.C., and Herbs for Cancer, Surprise, Ariz.

___

On the Net:

FTC Bogus Drugs page: http://www.ftc.gov/curious

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/curious/share.shtml

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/curious/media.shtml

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