The FDA is calling on consumers not to fall for unapproved bogus “swine flu” or “H1N1” products that claim to offer a cure or other health benefits. There’s even a “swine flu shampoo” that claims to protect against the virus. Awesome.

The FDA says:

FDA actively monitors the Internet and, where appropriate, purchases and analyzes drug products. In October 2009, it announced what it found when it purchased and analyzed several products represented online as Tamiflu.

One of these online orders resulted in delivery to FDA of an unmarked envelope postmarked from India. Inside were unlabeled, white tablets taped between two pieces of paper that were found to contain talc and acetaminophen, an active ingredient found in many medicines to help relieve pain and reduce fever. Not found was oseltamivir, the active ingredient of Tamiflu.

The Web site selling this product disappeared shortly after FDA placed the order.

The agency also bought four other products purported to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 influenza virus from other Web sites. These products contained various levels of oseltamivir but were not approved for use in the United States. Several did not require a prescription from a health professional.

In actions it announced in June 2009, FDA issued warning letters and advised operators of offending sites to immediately ensure that they weren’t marketing products intended to act against the H1N1 flu virus that have not been cleared, approved, or authorized by the agency.

* Among the unapproved, uncleared, or unauthorized H1N1 flu products it targeted at that time were
* a shampoo said to protect against the H1N1 flu virus
* a dietary supplement said to protect infants and young children from contracting the virus
* a “new” supplement said to cure H1N1 flu infection within four to eight hours
* a spray that claims to leave a layer of ionic silver on one’s hands that kills the flu virus
* several diagnostic tests that have not been approved to detect the H1N1 flu virus
* an electronic instrument whose sellers claim uses “photobiotic energy” and “deeply penetrating mega-frequency life-force energy waves” to strengthen the immune system and prevent symptoms associated with H1N1 viral infection

Work by FDA and the FTC to identify, investigate, and take regulatory action against individuals or businesses that wrongfully promote purported 2009 H1N1 influenza products will continue. These efforts can include additional legal actions including seizure of products, injunction, or criminal prosecution.

For a list of the fraudulent products, click here.

The Word is Out on Unapproved H1N1 Products [FDA]

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