Beware of Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines, and Treatments
While we remain vigilant to protect our families and
communities from COVID-19, some people might be tempted to buy or use
questionable products that claim to help diagnose, treat, cure, and even prevent
coronavirus disease.
Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect everyone eligible
for COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two vaccines
for the prevention of COVID-19 and issued emergency use authorizations (EUAs)
for others. For the latest information on COVID-19 vaccines, visit this FDA
page.
The FDA continues to work with vaccine and drug
manufacturers, developers, and researchers to help facilitate the development
and availability of medical products – such as additional vaccines, antibodies,
and medicines – to prevent or treat COVID-19.
Meanwhile, some people and companies are trying to profit
from this pandemic by selling unproven and illegally marketed products that
make false claims, such as being effective against the coronavirus.
Unlike the products approved or authorized by the FDA, fraudulent
products that claim to cure, treat, or prevent COVID-19 haven’t been
evaluated by the agency for safety and effectiveness and might be dangerous to
you and your family.
The FDA is particularly concerned that these deceptive and
misleading products might cause people to delay or stop appropriate medical
treatment for COVID-19, leading to serious and life-threatening harm. Likely,
the products do not do what they claim, and the ingredients in them could cause
adverse effects and could interact and potentially interfere with medications
to treat any underlying medical conditions.
The FDA has also seen unauthorized fraudulent test kits for
COVID-19 being sold online. You will risk unknowingly spreading COVID-19 or not
getting treated appropriately if you use an unauthorized test.
For more information on COVID-19, visit:
Treatments for COVID-19
The FDA is working with medical product developers to
rapidly facilitate the development of vaccines and treatments
for COVID-19 to help make them available. So far, the FDA has approved only
one
treatment for COVID-19 and has
issued EUAs for others. For more information, read Know
Your Treatment Options for COVID-19.
Fraudulent COVID-19 products can come in many varieties,
including dietary supplements and other foods, as well as products claiming to
be tests, drugs, medical devices, or vaccines. The FDA has been working with
retailers to remove dozens of misleading products from store shelves and
online. The agency will continue to monitor social media and online
marketplaces promoting and selling fraudulent COVID-19 products.
For example, the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission issued warning letters to companies for selling fraudulent COVID-19 products. The products cited include teas, essential oils, tinctures, and colloidal silver (see product photos on Flickr).
The FDA is actively monitoring for any firms marketing
products with fraudulent COVID-19 diagnostic, prevention, and treatment claims.
The FDA is exercising its authority to protect consumers from firms selling
unauthorized products with false or misleading claims. The FDA may send warning
letters or pursue seizures or injunctions against people, products, or
companies that violate the law. We are also increasing our enforcement at ports
of entry to ensure that fraudulent products do not enter the country through
our borders.
In addition, the FDA is monitoring complaints of fake
coronavirus treatments, vaccines, and tests. Consumers and health care
professionals can help by reporting suspected fraud to the FDA’s
Health Fraud Program or the Office
of Criminal Investigations.
Taking Drugs for Animals Is Dangerous
Products marketed for veterinary use, or “for research use
only,” or otherwise not for human consumption, have not been evaluated for
safety and should never be used by humans. They may have adverse effects,
including serious illness and death when taken by people.
The FDA has received multiple reports of people who have
needed medical attention, including hospitalization, after self-medicating with
ivermectin
intended for livestock. The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for
use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. The FDA is also
aware of people trying to prevent COVID-19 by taking chloroquine phosphate,
which is sold to treat parasites in aquarium fish.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Coronavirus Fraud?
The FDA advises consumers to be cautious of websites and stores selling products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure COVID-19. Here are some tips to identify false or misleading claims.
- Be suspicious of products that claim to treat a wide range
of diseases.
- Personal testimonials are no substitute for scientific
evidence.
- Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, so be
suspicious of any therapy claimed as a “quick fix.”
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- “Miracle cures,” which claim scientific breakthroughs or
contain secret ingredients, are likely a hoax.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, follow the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, and speak to your medical
provider. Your health care provider will advise you about whether you should
get tested and the process for being tested in your area.
If you have a question about treatment or test found online,
talk to your health care provider or doctor. If you have a question about a
medication, call your pharmacist or the FDA. The FDA’s Division of Drug
Information (DDI) will answer almost any drug question. DDI pharmacists are
available by email, druginfo@fda.hhs.gov, and by phone, 1-855-543-DRUG (3784)
and 301-796-3400.
The sale of fraudulent COVID-19 products is a threat to public
health. The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. If you are
concerned about COVID-19, talk to your health care provider and follow the
advice of the FDA’s
federal partners about how to prevent the spread of this illness.
For more information on health fraud and to report products, visit this FDA page.
