Beware of online swine-flu remedies: Health Canada
Last Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 9:36 AM PT
CBC News
Health Canada and the Competition Bureau are warning consumers to be wary of swine flu 'remedies' available on the internet. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)As flu activity picks up across the country, federal authorities are warning Canadians not to buy unauthorized products from the internet or other sources that claim to fight the H1N1 virus.
The Competition Bureau and Health Canada issued a statement Wednesday saying that only three products are authorized for use against the virus: the vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline called Arepanrix, which is available at flu clinics and doctors' offices, and the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.
However, a quick tour around the internet found lots of sites offering remedies and potions that promise to kill the swine flu virus or protect you from getting it in the first place.
Other websites attached incorrect messages and labels to otherwise legal products or homeopathic remedies that, on their own, did not claim to kill the H1N1 virus.
"These people look for opportunity and they look for anxiety and fear in the marketplace," said Lynda Pasacreta, head of the Better Business Bureau for mainland B.C.
For instance, herbalcureindia.com touted several swine-flu cures, as well as products for breast and penis enlargement.
It described one herbal product, Tinospora, as "a drug with bitter properties … which is again helpful in preventing swine flu."
Another website, squidoo.com, claimed the cure for swine flu could be found right in your kitchen. And so easy to make: Just mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey, and one cup of warm water each morning. "This may prevent and kill microbes that are trying to infect your body," the description claims.
The website touted garlic, vitamin C and zinc lozenges as products that would ward off swine flu.
It also posted links to several homeopathic medicines, including Sprayology Cold + Flu, which could be purchased at Amazon.com for prices in the $20 US range. To be fair to the makers of Sprayology Cold + Flu, the product's own description made no swine-flu claim. It bills itself as a way to ease general cold and flu symptoms.
On many websites, the term swine flu was the clickable word to access product information, even if that product made no claim to cure swine flu.
For instance, a Google ad on squidoo.com was sponsored by Tylenol.ca. But to get to this product, the clickable term was "swine flu." Nowhere in the Tylenol description was there a mention of swine flu.
Other websites offer even more dubious advice. At homemademedicine.com, you can find recipes for potions to cure everything from swine flu and hair loss to snoring and stretch marks.
The mangled English description for its nine "remedies for Swine Flu" were the first tip-off that these remedies were of dubious value.
"Home remedies for Swine Flu #7: Take arsenicum album if thirsty but feel better drinking warm fluids, lack of appetite, body aches, and feel worse during the night," read one description.
Health Canada says it will monitor the internet and take action against websites selling unauthorized products for the treatment or prevention of the H1N1 flu virus or any other health condition.
The agency warned that vaccines should only come from a qualified health-care provider, and antivirals should only be purchased with a prescription from a health-care practitioner who has examined the patient.
While there are legitimate Canadian internet pharmacies, consumers were warned to be aware of the risks associated with buying drugs online.
