FDA warns over sale of illegal diabetes treatments

Health regulators in America are cracking down on illegal products that falsely claim to treat, cure or prevent diabetes and its associated complications.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently sent letters to 15 companies – 10 domestic and 5 foreign – warning them that the sale of their illegally marketed diabetes products violates federal law. The products include:
· Those sold as “natural” treatments for diabetes, but containing undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients in unknown quantities that could cause harm or complicate medical conditions;
·Dietary supplements and ayurvedic products with claims to treat, cure, and/or prevent diabetes;
· Unapproved drugs sold over-the-counter, including some homeopathic products, intended to treat complications associated with diabetes; and
· Prescription drugs for diabetes sold by online pharmacies without a prescription.
The FDA is advising consumers in the US not to use these or similar products as they could cause harm and complicate existing medical conditions. Some may contain harmful ingredients or may not have been manufactured and handled according to FDA quality standards.
Additionally, use of these illegal diabetes treatment products could cause consumers to delay seeking proper medical treatment for their diabetes.
The companies have been given 15 working days to make a written response stating how they plan to correct the violations. Failure to comply could result in legal action, including product seizure, injunctio, and/or criminal prosecution.