FDA Considers New Homeopathic Drug Regulations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may be reconsidering their policy on how homeopathic remedies are marketed and sold.

Dietary supplements and homeopathic remedies are considered drugs; however, they are primarily sold over-the-counter and without any FDA approval for safety or efficiency.  While its not clear what type of regulations the FDA would consider, the agency recently spent two days listening to physicians and homeopathic representatives in order to receive input on how to readjust policies to the 200-year old traditional healing practice of homeopathy.

Homeopathic Product Risks

The multi-billion dollar industry claims that “natural” remedies can cure any ailment from sexual performance to weight loss. However, recent studies including a report by the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia have suggested that homeopathic products have nothing more than a placebo effect when it comes to treating medical conditions.

In the last few years, the FDA has issued 40 warning letters to homeopathic remedy manufacturers with some serious concerns, including:

• Zicam manufacturer Matrixx Initiatives was issued a warning letter in 2009 after high levels of zinc in its cold remedies were found to cause a loss of smell in consumers.
• The “teething tablets” produced by Hyland’s Homeopathic were issued an FDA warning in 2010 due the amount of toxic nightshade included in the homeopathic remedy.
• Last month, the FDA warned consumers who take a homeopathic asthma products to not rely on it as an effective method to treat attacks.

FDA Homeopathic Guidelines

Since 1988, the FDA has allowed homeopathic products to be sold, over-the-counter, without FDA approval and they can even include claims about whatever ailment the remedy will treat as long as its not a “chronic” condition.

At the recent FDA hearing on homeopathic remedies, speakers came up with regulation suggestions for the federal agency to start imposing. One speaker argued that the federal agency should require homeopathic products to go through the same premarket approval process just like every other medication. Another speaker suggested that the FDA could, at a minimum, clarify homeopathy labels by listing the concentration of ingredients in milligrams.

Homeopathic Remedy Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has discovered nearly 300 homeopathic products that contain hidden and deceptively labeled ingredients. The agency is warning consumers that many of these “natural” remedies contain very little of the active ingredient because they are so highly diluted.

A homeopathic class action lawsuit investigation has been launched after multiple plaintiffs allege homeopathic companies are intentionally trying to trick consumers into paying more for a natural remedy that is ineffective.

Some of the most commonly purchased homeopathic products promise benefits of weight loss, increased sexual performance, help with memory and brain function, testosterone boosters, stress and anxiety relief, and sleeplessness.

If you have purchased a homeopathic or natural remedy and it did not work as advertised you may have legal claim. 

Join a Free Homeopathy or Dietary Supplement Fraud Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you purchased a homeopathic or dietary supplement product that failed to perform as advertised, chances are you’ve been the victim of homeopathy or dietary supplement fraud. You may have a claim to seek compensation through a consumer protection class action lawsuit.

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