FTC Settles Case With Online Marketer Of Alternative HRT

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Endocrinology;  Seniors / Aging;  Litigation / Medical Malpractice
Article Date: 28 Jan 2008 - 12:00 PDT

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The Federal Trade Commission has settled a case with the online marketer Herbs Nutrition and its principal, Syed Jafry, following an FTC complaint that the company made false claims about the health benefits of its alternative hormone replacement therapy products, CQ HealthBeat reports. FTC in September 2007 filed administrative complaints against Herbs Nutrition and six other online pharmacies. The other marketers settled in October 2007 (Grimaldi, CQ HealthBeat, 1/23).

According to an FTC release, the compliant said Herbs Nutrition and Jafry claimed that their natural progesterone creams -- Eternal Woman Progesterone Cream and Pro-Gest Body Cream -- are effective in preventing, treating or curing osteoporosis; preventing or reducing the risk of estrogen-induced uterine cancer; and preventing or reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.

"The complaint alleged that they did not have substantiation for these claims and, in some cases, misrepresented that clinical testing proved that the products ... were effective," FTC said in the release (FTC release, 1/17).

The terms of the FTC settlement require any health claims made about the therapies, including those that are directly progesterone-related, to be supported by scientific evidence. The order also bars Herbs Nutrition from misrepresenting any tests, studies and research about HRT. In addition, the order contains 20-year record-keeping and notification requirements to ensure the company complies with the settlement (CQ HealthBeat, 1/23).

A copy of the FTC complaint is available online.

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