FDA sends 37 warning letters about fake COVID-19 cures, treatments

The federal government is going after companies claiming to sell fake cures or treatments for COVID-19.

Right now, there isn’t a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved product to cure, treat or prevent COVID-19 but that isn’t stopping some companies from falsely claiming they have the answer, according to the FDA.

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The FDA sent the warning letters to companies selling things like essential oils and herbal products and a “miracle solution” which claimed to be connected to treating or preventing the coronavirus.

"The issue is products are claiming they prevent other common illnesses from spreading and then kind of makes leaps within those claims, connecting it to the coronavirus as well,” said Grace Brombach, Consumer Watchdog Associate with U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG).

PIRG analyzed 34 of the letters and found that more than half were for products that claimed to enhance the immune system or have anti-viral properties.

"There's nothing wrong with anti-viral products but when they start to verge the line of claiming to cure the coronavirus or fully prevent it, that's when the FDA steps in and gets involved,” Brombach said.

Brombach said there are red flags to look out for when searching online for information about the pandemic.

"One main thing to look for is very scientific language, very bold claims and then also rhetorical questions like, ‘are you scared of contracting the coronavirus? Here is a cure for you,’" Brombach said.

The FDA said if the companies don’t stop making the false clams, they could face legal action.

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