A MedWatch Safety Alert was added to the FDA Consumer Update webpage.
TOPIC: Fraudulent Coronavirus Tests, Vaccines and Treatments: Consumer Update
AUDIENCE: Consumer, Patient, Health Professional, Risk Manager
ISSUE: 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.
These fraudulent products that claim to cure, treat, or prevent COVID-19 have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness and might be dangerous to you and your family. The FDA has also seen unauthorized fraudulent test kits for COVID-19 being sold online.
BACKGROUND: Because COVID-19 has never been seen in humans before, there are currently no vaccines to prevent or drugs to treat COVID-19 approved by the FDA. Currently, the only way to be tested for COVID-19 is to talk to your health care provider.
RECOMMENDATION:
- The FDA advises consumers and health professionals to be cautious of websites and stores selling products that claim to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.
- Do not take any form of chloroquine unless it has been prescribed for you by your health care provider and obtained from legitimate sources.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19, follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines and speak to your health care provider. Your health care provider will advise you about whether you should get tested and the process for being tested in your area.
Consumers and health care providers can help by reporting suspected fraud to the FDA’s Health Fraud Program or the Office of Criminal Investigations at FDA-COVID-19-Fraudulent-Products@fda.hhs.gov.
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