FDA Targets Newest Opiate Addiction Scam
Scammers, con artists, and overall greedy people have had a field day with the opiate crisis. While the whole country is dealing the daily tragedies that have come from opiate addiction, others have seen it as a great opportunity to rip off desperate addicts and their families during their greatest time of need. As with any major problem or crisis, afflicted individuals are quick to grasp on to quick fixes, so-called “miracles cures,” and snake oil, with all the promise of fixing what ails them, but underdelivering in the end. Lately, one of the newest and biggest scams in the addiction treatment field has been the target of FDA investigations, and rightly so.
Since the opiate crisis began, natural remedies for pain and for heroin addiction have popped up all over the place. Mega-marketing firms have created these advertising campaigns that simply take advantage of people and their struggle with addiction. Basically, a fraud—these companies sell products like “Soothedrawal,” and “Calmsupport,” which promise to provide a holistic cure for addiction or offer themselves as substitutes for actual medication and drugs as a way to quit. A type of harm reduction, if you will. These products contain strange ingredients like amur cork bark and other, more known ingredients like chamomile or L-tryptophan. All over the boxes or advertisements, you see “#1 Best Selling Opiate Withdrawal Brand,” or “Break the habit now,” etc., etc. Laughably, some other of these “remedies” even resemble actual medication with names such as “Mitadone.” It’s absolutely ridiculous and also a bit upsetting that the makers of these products are purposely targeting vulnerable people and promising to take their problems away, but in reality, only take their money.
Last Wednesday, the FDA said that they have jointly (with the Federal Trade Commission) sent out letters to many of these companies, warning them that they are purposefully defrauding the public and illegally labeling products claiming to cure opiate addiction. The warned businesses have 15 days to respond to the FDA and the FTC, detailing how they will change the packaging or products before facing further actions.
FDA Chief Scott Gottlied said, “People who are addicted to opioids should have access to safe and effective treatments and not be victimized by unscrupulous vendors who are trying to capitalize on the opioid epidemic by taking advantage of consumers and selling products with baseless claims.”
I’m glad the FDA is cracking down on these shady companies that are selling fake cures for opiate addiction. Too many people are struggling and are desperate for help and the last thing they need is to spend their money on bogus products. I hate that addicts are being taken advantage of, but as with any crisis, unfortunately, nothing is sacred. Sketchy people and companies will do sketchy things to make a buck. Just don’t let it be your buck.
Sources used:
https://gizmodo.com/the-fda-is-going-after-fake-opioid-addiction-cures-1822423700
