Senator Investigates Brain Supplements Marketed to Seniors

Homeopathic products and remedies have received a significant amount of criticism in recent years. While practitioners of homeopathic medicine use alternative techniques to rid patients of undesired symptoms, scientific evidence has found homeopathy to be no more effective than a placebo.

A recent influx of class action lawsuits filed against the makers of homeopathic supplements have brought the issue of these products’ effectiveness to the forefront. At the center of each argument are plaintiffs alleging that the homeopathic supplement they used failed to address their symptoms.

Now, a United States Senator is raising concerns about dietary supplements that claim to protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Senator Claire McCaskill, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Special Committee on Aging, is urging 15 major companies and retailers to explain why they sell these “dubious” brain supplements.

McCaskill has launched an investigation into homeopathic supplements targeting seniors who are concerned about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and has sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inquiring about its obligation to prevent fraud and review new supplement ingredients.

The letter also asks what enforcement actions the FDA has taken against dietary supplement manufacturers and distributors that fail to comply with FDA regulations, and requests a detailed description of the FDA’s process for evaluating medical and nutritional claims made by supplements already on the market.

McCaskill also sent letters to 15 retailers inquiring about their review policies for dietary supplements and what they have done to prevent sales of harmful or fraudulently marketed products. The inquiries–sent to retailers Amazon, QVC, Walgreens, Home Shopping Network, Walmart, Target, CVS, Vitamin Shoppe, Safeway, eBay, Kroger, Vitamin World, GNC, Google, and Yahoo–asked about the retailers’ policies relating to the sale and/or marketing of dietary supplements.

Some of the letters express specific concerns about supplements that are being used to protect against and/or mitigate the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that essentially promotes the idea that the body is the best weapon to fight disease.

Homeopathy has become a big business in the United States. U.S. adults spent almost $3 billion on homeopathic medicines in 2007, with an estimated 4 million adults and 910,000 children relying on these natural homeopathic remedies.

Many drugs labeled as homeopathic are marketed in major retail stores as natural, safe and effective alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter medications, according to the FDA. Science has found little evidence that homeopathy works, however, and critics contend that its tenets run counter to basic science.

If you or a loved one has been injured or mislead by a homeopathic remedy, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

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.

Join This Investigation Now