Health

FDA cracks down on bogus pills for sexually transmitted diseases

May 3, 2011 / 6:14 PM EDT / CBS/AP

(CBS/AP) Bogus remedies for sexually transmitted diseases show up on the Internet and in some drugstores - and now they've shown up somewhere else:

In the cross-hairs of federal health officials.

The FDA announced on Tuesday that it had sent warning letters to a dozen firms selling unproven over-the-counter pills and supplements for STDs like HIV, herpes and genital warts. It said none of the products - with names like Medavir, Herpaflor and C-Cure - had been proven to treat any disease.

"These products are dangerous because they are targeted to patients with serious conditions, where treatment options proven to be safe and effective are available," Deborah Autor, FDA's director of drug compliance, said in a statement.

FDA scientists warned that patients could waste time taking them and delay seeking medical care.

"Health scams that endanger the public health will not be tolerated," said Richard Cleland, assistant director for advertising at the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC and FDA both oversee advertising of health care products and announced Tuesday's action together.

A website for Medavir, made by Medavir Medical Advances, claims that the product "has been proven effective in several official university research studies - including an official FDA trial."

But the FDA has never approved any non-prescription products for STDs, federal officials say. Drugs are available for herpes, chlamydia, HIV and other diseases, but only via prescription. The viruses that cause herpes and HIV are incurable, though symptoms can be managed with medication.

A website for Arenvy Laboratories' ImmuneGlory solution claims the product "strengthens your immune system so that herpes or cold sores have nowhere to hide."

Calls placed to both companies were not immediately returned.

The companies cited by the FDA will have 15 days to take their products off the market. If they do not, the agency can take legal action, including seizing the products and taking company officials to court.