14 Companies Illegally Selling Cancer Drugs Receive FDA Warning Letters

The FDA has issued 14 warning letters and 4 online advisory letters to US-based companies illegally selling more than 65 products with fraudulent claims that they cure cancer.

These products are both marketed and sold—–mostly on websites or social media platforms––without FDA approval, according to a press release.

Some of these products are marketed for cats and dogs, and officials said the agency is increasingly seeing false products pitched to dog and cat owners as cures for cancer. These untested products could be unsafe and may prevent pets or people from receiving medical care.

"Consumers should not use these or similar unproven products because they may be unsafe and could prevent a person from seeking an appropriate and potentially lifesaving cancer diagnosis or treatment,” Douglas W. Stearn, director of the Office of Enforcement and Import Operations, FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs, said in the release. “We encourage people to remain vigilant whether online or in a store, and avoid purchasing products marketed to treat cancer without any proof they will work. Patients should consult a health care professional about proper prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.”

Products cited in the warning letters include topical creams, ointments, pills, drops, syrups, teas, and diagnostics. Additionally, the products carry unproven claims that they prevent, reverse, or cure cancer; inhibit cancer cells or tumors; or other similar anti-cancer claims.

The FDA has requested responses from the 14 companies on how the violations will be corrected, according to the release. If the companies fail to comply, it may result in legal action, including product seizure, injunction, and/or criminal prosecution.

Over the past decade, the FDA has issued more than 90 warning letters to companies marketing hundreds of fraudulent products that made unfounded cancer claims. Although most of the companies have stopped selling these products, there are still unsafe and unapproved products that continue to be sold directly to consumers.

Health care professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events associated with these types of products to the FDA’s MedWatch Program.

The following companies and products received warning letters:

• AIE Pharmaceuticals: Cevrogin, Cholestrien, ImmunPro, and Livral Complex
• Amazing Sour Sop, Inc: Sour Sop capsules, Sour Sop leaves, and Sour Sop tea bags
• BioStar Technology International: Angiostop, Ashwagandha, Asparagus Extract, OliveLeafQi, and Revivin
• Caudill Seed & Warehouse: Vitalica
• DoctorVicks.com: 3 types of Freeda Vitamins and 3 Maxi Health products
• Everything Herbs: Cleavers, Inkberry, Korean Ginseng, Lapacho, Red Clover, and Whole Apricot
• Hawk Dok Natural Salve: Skin Cancer Treatment; and Smokeless Tobacco Cancer Treatment for Gums, and Lip Sores
• Healing Within Products & Services: Astragalus Glycerite, Black Salve, Healthy Prostate & Ovary, Original Herbal Tea Remedy, ProBoost Thymic Protein A, and Siberian Chaga Mushroom Extract
• LifeVantage Corporation: Protandim NRF2 Synergizer
• Nature’s Treasure: Colostrum LD Capsules, Dysbiocide, KR22 Oxicell, and Matcha Tea
• Oxygen Health Systems: Graviola, Graviola Max, Liposomal Complete Complex Plus, Liposomal Curcumin, Liposomal Vitamin B17 Amygdalin, Liposomal Vitamin C, Palladium Lipoic Complex, Premium Flax, Rerum Blue, and Super Liposomal Plus
• Sunstone: Chelated Boron, Circulatory Detox & Support Syrup, Essiac Tea, Fermented Yeast Culture, Premium Organic, Virxcan-X Salve, and Virxcan-X tablets
• The Vibrant Health Store, LLC dba Dr Christopher’s Herbs: Black Drawing Ointment, Burdock Root, Kid-e-Trac, Liver D-Tox Formula, Rash Ointment, Red Clover Blossoms, Relax-Eze, and St John’s Wort
• The Vitamin C Foundation: Cardio-C, Chewables Vitamin C, Sodium Ascorbate, True Liposomal Vitamin C, and World’s Finest Vitamin C Powder

The following 4 companies and products received online advisory letters:

• CellMark Biopharma: CellAssure
• Landis Revin: Trevinol ES Fibrin Defense Systemic Enzyme, Trevinol ES Health Joint & Inflammation Support, and Trevinol Professional Blend
• Nathans Natural: Levodyn
• Healinginabottle.com: Immuno Boost Eximius

This article originally appeared on pharmacytimes.com.