Fake coronavirus treatments bring warnings from federal agencies
Seven companies are violating federal law and putting patients at risk by falsely claiming their products, including essential oils and teas, can prevent or treat the coronavirus, the FDA and FTC said in joint warning letters released Monday.
No treatments or vaccines have been approved for Covid-19, a virus spreading across the globe that can kill vulnerable populations. As of Monday morning eleven people have died in the U.S. from the virus, according to a tally from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"There already is a high level of anxiety over the potential spread of coronavirus," Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joe Simons said in a statement. "What we don't need in this situation are companies preying on consumers by promoting products with fraudulent prevention and treatment claims."
Simons said the agency will take enforcement actions against companies that continue to "market this type of scam." Enforcement could mean demanding financial relief for customers or imposing civil penalties on the companies.
The Food and Drug Administration is especially concerned patients will delay or stop getting treatment for the virus because of false promises made by the companies. The agencies sent letters to N-Ergetics, GuruNanda LLC, Herbal Amy LLC, the Jim Bakker Show, Quinessence Aromatherapy, Vital Silver, and Vivify Holistic Clinic.
