Fraud, Scams and Slams: Fraud, Scams and Slams: Health Care QuackeryHealth Care Quackery

Prepared by:Dr. Jan Park

Gerontology SpecialistOklahoma Cooperative Extension service

April 2002

Medical Frauds Prey on the Medical Frauds Prey on the ElderlyElderly

“Miracle Cures” Offer Hope

Dreaded Diseases Attract Dreaded Diseases Attract Quacks Quacks

ArthritisCancerAnti-Aging Potions

Beware: Don’t Fall Prey to Beware: Don’t Fall Prey to QuacksQuacks

“Miracle drugs”“Too-good-to-be true

products”

Ask Questions and Ask Questions and Check Out the Product Check Out the Product

BEWARE!!!BEWARE!!! Miracle cures Natural products Scientific breakthrough Impressive jargon No side effects

Ask Questions and Ask Questions and Check Out the ProductCheck Out the Product

Information being suppressed Words like; detoxify, purify,

energize Testimonials Available one source Real cheap

Cyberspace Health Care Cyberspace Health Care QuackeryQuackery

Internet Scams

Buying Prescription Medicine Buying Prescription Medicine OnlineOnline

Way of the future

Advantages of Buying Advantages of Buying Medication Through the Medication Through the InternetInternet

Convenience Comparison shopping Greater Variety

How to Buy Medications How to Buy Medications Safely on the InternetSafely on the Internet

New PrescriptionPrivate sitesLicensed Pharmacies

How Does Online Sales How Does Online Sales Work?Work?

Open accountPresent prescriptionLearn delivery methodCustomer service

Rx

Buy Only from Reputable Buy Only from Reputable Pharmacy SitesPharmacy Sites

Do’sDo’s Licensed pharmacy VIPPS Prescription required Prescription verification Questions and answers

Buy Only from Reputable Buy Only from Reputable Pharmacy Sites (cont.)Pharmacy Sites (cont.)

Don'tsDon'ts No customer service No prescription required Questionnaire Buy from sites that sell

medications not approved by FDA Buy from foreign sites selling low

cost medications

Not required

The Problem with The Problem with Regulating Internet Drug Regulating Internet Drug SalesSales

Federal Trade Commission

Federal Drug Administration

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

Federation of State Medical Boards

Verified, Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS)

Dietary Supplements a Dietary Supplements a Heyday for Con ArtistsHeyday for Con Artists

Unproven Dietary supplements risky

Users! Don’t quit taking prescription medications

Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act

St. John’s Wort

Dietary SupplementsDietary Supplements

Pre-market Review Not Stringent

Read the Label Before You Read the Label Before You BuyBuy

What is the product? Quantity Structure –Function claim Directions Serving size, active ingredients Other ingredients Manufacturer, Packer, Distributor Customer service address/phone

number

Product Claims AllowedProduct Claims Allowed

Nutrition content claimsDisease claimsNutrition Support claims