Herbal products may contain dangerous ingredients

U.S. cracks down on dangerous supplements

Herbal products containing drugs and banned substances a big problem

Last Updated: Thursday, December 16, 2010 | 9:59 AM ET Comments2Recommend1

CBC News

Companies that produce and market dietary supplements that contain undeclared drugs and dangerous ingredients will face the long arm of the law, warns the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

An FDA scientist presents an example of an illegal imported product, called Morning Skatto, marketed as a dietary supplement. The U.S. health watchdog is cracking down on dietary supplements. (FDA)Canada and the United States have seen a surge in the sale of products marketed as herbal supplements, but contain drugs that can cause serious harm.

So far in 2010, Health Canada has issued 14 advisories about "natural" health products that contain undeclared prescription medications.

They include the active ingredients in erectile dysfunction drugs such as Cialis and Viagra, along with steroids, and the banned weight loss drug sibutramine.

'These tainted products can cause serious adverse effects, including strokes, organ failure, and death.'—Dr. Margaret Hamburg, FDA

The FDA reports in recent years nearly 300 products have been found to contain similar substances. It says there have been numerous instances of injury reported as a result of taking the tainted supplements.

"These tainted products can cause serious adverse effects, including strokes, organ failure, and death," said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, "The manufacturers selling these tainted products are operating outside the law."

Public health agencies face enforcement challenges

But tackling the issue poses serious challenges for public health agencies. With many of the supplements sold through websites, distributed through multi-level marketing schemes, and at shady retail outlets, agencies — such as Health Canada — can do little more than warn the public and order a recall when a tainted product is found through random testing.

An FDA field inspector presents an assortment of illegal imported products marketed as dietary supplements. FDA is working to stop the sale and distribution of such products, which may contain undisclosed and potentially dangerous ingredients. (FDA)The FDA has enlisted the support of five industry trade associations and is in the process of issuing warning letters to manufacturers and distributors.

It's warning that companies that sell and market tainted dietary supplements will face product seizures, injunctions and criminal prosecution.

Sexual enhancement, weight loss and bodybuilding products are the most common supplements to contain illegal, deceptive or undeclared products, notes the FDA.

"The labelling of these tainted products may claim that they are 'alternatives' to FDA-approved drugs, or 'legal' alternatives to anabolic steroids," notes the FDA's director of drug evaluation and research, Michael Levy.

"Consumers should avoid products marketed as supplements that claim to have effects similar to prescription drugs."

The FDA move is applauded by Consumers Union, the organization the publishes the Consumer Reports.

"Tainted dietary supplements can send you to the hospital or kill you," said Ellen Bloom, senior director of policy at Consumers Union.

"The FDA should be commended for prioritizing this issue and alerting consumers about dangerous supplements. Unfortunately the challenge is that more dangerous products keep popping up."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/16/con-dangerous-supplements.html#ixzz18I1oUgC2