FDA Seizes Topical Creams Deemed Drugs

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On May 16, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), with assistance by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, seized unapproved drugs valued at more than $11 million, which were marked by Ascend Laboratories of Montvale, N.J. and held by Masters Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Cincinnati, OH. The products seized by the FDA included those marketed for the treatment of inflamed hemorrhoids, colitis and other inflammatory conditions (Hydrocortisone Acetate Suppositories, 25 mg) and skin thickening conditions such as dermatitis and eczema (Urea Cream 39%, Urea Cream 40% and Urea Lotion 40%). The FDA announcement can be found…
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FTC Prevails Against Marketers of Medical Foods

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On March 7, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) reported that the Agency had prevailed in federal court in its action against the Wellness Support Network. In particular, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California entered a final judgment, finding that Wellness Support Network had violated Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTCA”) by making claims about its products that were considered false and/or unsupported by scientific evidence at the time the claims were made. As part of its judgment, the Court ordered the Company to pay nearly $2.2 million dollars in restitution, which will…
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FDA Warns Consumers About Dietary Supplement Containing Synthetic Steroids

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On December 23, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued an announcement warning consumers about the serious health risks associated with using “Mass Destruction,” a product marketed as a dietary supplement for muscle growth. This product is manufactured for Blunt Force Nutrition in North Carolina and is sold in retail stores, gyms, and on the internet. The FDA alleges that despite being labeled as a dietary supplement, Mass Destruction contains synthetic anabolic steroids, which makes it an unapproved new drug in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”). The FDA’s announcement may be found here.…
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FDA Seeks Permanent Injunction against Oregon Dietary Supplement Company

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On October 21, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced that it is seeking a permanent injunction against James G. Cole, a dietary supplement manufacturer based in Oregon, along with the company’s president, James G. Cole, and general manager, Julie D. Graves. The complaint was filed on the FDA’s behalf by the U.S Department of Justice. If granted, the permanent injunction would prohibit James G. Cole from marketing and distributing its products until it complies with Current Good Manufacturing Practice (“cGMP”) requirements for dietary supplements and removes all unapproved drug claims from its product labels and websites. You…
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FDA Approves Botox Cosmetic for New Intended Use

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On September 11, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved onabotulinumtoxin A, the drug marketed as Botox and Botox Cosmetic, for the temporary minimizing of the appearance of moderate to severe lateral canthal lines, more commonly known as crow’s feet, in adults. Botox, made from botulinum neurotixn, prevents muscles from tightening when administered via intramuscular injection. You can read the announcement here. The FDA approved Botox Cosmetic for treating crow’s feet after the drug’s safety and effectiveness for that intended use were established by two clinical studies. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), the FDA…
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FDA Issues Warning Letters to Companies Marketing Illegal Diabetes Drugs

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On July 23, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it issued warning letters to 15 domestic and foreign companies that were deemed to be unlawfully marketing diabetes products in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and other federal laws. The products, sold online and in retail stores, include dietary supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and unapproved prescription drugs. You can read the announcement here. Also, a list of the warning letters is available at this link. The FDA issued the warning letters as part of an initiative to remove illegal diabetes products from…
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FDA Issues Letter for Failure to Obtain 510(k) Clearance for Medical Mobile App

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On March 21, 2013 the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued an “It Has Come to Our Attention Letter” to Biosense Technologies Private Limited for failure to obtain 510(k) clearance for its medical mobile app, uChek Urine Analyzer. The uChek Urine Analyzer is an iPhone mobile app, intended for use with Siemens and Bayer reagent strips, which allows a mobile phone to analyze the strips and determine urine analytes. You can read the letter here. In the letter, the FDA explains that urinanalysis dipsticks are cleared only when they are interpreted by a direct visual reading. Any company intending…
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Marshals Seize Supplements with Undeclared Drug Ingredients

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On February 14, 2013, U.S. Marshals, acting on behalf of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), raided the headquarters of Globe All Wellness, LLC, a dietary supplement manufacturer based in Hollywood, Florida. Marshals seized what are alleged to be tainted dietary supplements, believing the products to be unsafe, as they may contain an undisclosed active pharmaceutical ingredient. Marshals noted that several of the products that were seized contain sibutramine hydrochloride (sibutramine), which is the active ingredient in Meridia, an obesity drug. Meridia was pulled from the market in the United States in December of 2010, after clinical trials determined…
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FDA/FTC Issue Joint Warning Letter to Company Marketing Flu Remedy

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On January 24, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a joint warning letter to Flu & Cold Defense, LLC (“the Company”), a Florida company, for unlawfully marketing its “GermBullet” inhaler as a cold and flu remedy. The “GermBullet” is sold online as well as in small pharmacies and health food stores. You can read the warning letter here. According to the text of the Warning Letter, the FDA targeted the Company, Flu & Cold Defense, along with its managing member Todd Whidden, for marketing the “Germ Bullet” as an unapproved…
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FDA Warns Company for Marketing Medical Device

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On November 5, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced recent action the Agency has taken against a Tennessee-based company in connection with the Company’s alleged violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FFDCA”). According to the FDA’s Press Release, found here, The Avalon Effect, Inc. (“the Company”) is in violation of the FFDCA because of several claims made on the Company’s website and other linked websites which contain claims that its light therapy device may be used to cure or treat fungal meningitis, concussions, Lyme disease and other illnesses. In addition, the FDA notes that…
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