FDA: Scammers Continue to Sell Unproven Products for COVID-19

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided an update on its efforts to combat the sale of fraudulent products during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Named Operation Quack Hack, the FDA has uncovered several scams related to fraudulent drugs, testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE). A total of 42 warning letters have been issued to companies for selling fraudulent products with claims to prevent, treat, mitigate, diagnose or cure COVID-19. 

Recently, the Agency issued a warning letter to the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing for selling chlorine dioxide products known as “Miracle Mineral Solution” that claim to treat or prevent COVID-19. This was followed by a preliminary injunction from a federal court when the seller refused to take corrective action.

Additionally, the FDA has put its efforts into preventing the import of unproven products into the country, including a case of mislabeled COVID-19 “treatment kits” from a British man with claims to treat the disease. The Agency was able to intercept these products with the help of domestic and international law enforcement counterparts in the United Kingdom, which led to a federal criminal complaint against the man.

“Americans can rest assured that we’re leveraging our experience investigating, examining, and reviewing medical products, both at the border and within domestic commerce, to help ensure that the critical resources reaching the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19 are appropriate,” said FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judy McMeekin, PharmD. “We take seriously our responsibility to determine whether the medical products coming into our country are fraudulent, counterfeit or illegitimate, and take action as needed.”

Individuals are encouraged to report any suspected fraudulent products for COVID-19 to the FDA. 

For more information visit fda.gov.