Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that in its third round of warning letters directed at companies making claims that their products and/or therapies can treat or prevent COVID-19 as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent consumers from falling victim to pandemic-related marketing scams. 21 companies in total received warning letters from the FDA to discontinue marketing products which lack scientific evidence showing that they have any impact on human health outcomes related to the virus.
 
In its latest report, the FTC stated that it has more than 600 reported incidents of consumers buying these products, and that an estimated total of $15 million has been lost through purchasing products which make claims about COVID-19.
 
Among the products in question in the latest round of warnings were acupunctures, intravenous “therapies” with high doses of vitamin C, ozone therapy, and purported stem cell treatments.
 
The warning letters being issued by the FTC are not punitive, but warn recipients that if they do not immediately cease making all claims that their products can treat or cure coronavirus, and notify the FTC about the specific actions they are taking to address the agency’s concerns, the commission may seek a federal court injunction and an order requiring money to be refunded to consumers.
 
General products, vitamins, and supplements
 
Companies specializing in general products, vitamins, and supplements which the FTC has charged with making fraudulent claims about COVID-19 include Abundant Life Wellness Center, Alkaline for Life at the Center for Better Bones, Blessed Maine Herb Farm, Ethos Natural Medicine LLC, Fast Relief Acupuncture, Greenbelt Outdoors, Jiva Med Spa, Personal Health Shop, and REVIV.
 
IV Therapies
 
Companies specializing in IV drips concentrated in vitamins, a delivery route that became popular in 2019 as an increasing number of businesses offering consumers fluids, and intravenous supplements through IV drips, were among those targeted by FTC warning letters on the charges of making fraudulent COVID-19 claims.
 
The IV therapy companies in question were Absolute Health Clinic, AwareMed, Liquivida Lounge, Merge Medical Center, Prana IV Therapy, Vidaful Medicine, and Windhorse Naturopathic Clinic.
 
Ozone Therapy
 
Companies which offer consumers ozone therapy were also named in the latest round of warning letters. According to the National Institutes of Health, ozone has been used in preliminary research as a possible method to disinfect and treat disease, however, special application techniques conducted by medical professionals have had to be developed for its safe use, such as the use of ozonized water in dental procedures. It is not used in medical settings to treat COVID-19 or any other respiratory illness, aside from very preliminary investigations into its potential as an adjunct to other standard therapies.
 
The companies were American Medical Aesthetics, RowenSu Clinic, and TRLYHEAL Pty. Ltd.
 
Lastly, companies with purported stem cell therapy products also made the list. These were the Center for Regenerative Cell Medicine, and Stemedix, Inc.