In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission has recently won a lawsuit against Walgreens (a nationwide US drug store) for deceptive advertising for it’s Walgreen’s branded Wal-born supplement. As a result some 8000 customers of the product will be receiving a refund.
Walgreens claimed the Wal-born supplement would boost your immune system and thus you would avoid common colds and other “everyday” sicknesses. They particularly suggested using the supplement when flying, going to the doctor, or even going to school. Even though they advertised and marketed the product in this fashion they had little to no proof that this was so. Unfortunately this is not limited problem but industry wide in the supplement industry.
Manufactures of dietary supplements do not need their statements peer reviewed or evaluated by an government agency. The result is that many manufactures will make claims about their statements that can not be easily verified and proven. A quick look on the internet reveals many supplements that support the immune system. For example GNC ( a worldwide supplement manufacturer and distributor) sells a variety of products under the name “Mega-Men” and “Ultra-Woman” which it advertises as a multi-vitamin for “Performance&Vitality” which will also help with “prostate health” and will “cushion joints”.
So what is the responsibility of manufacturers in the supplement industry? Currently for their product to be “safe” and not to make drug claims (that the supplement will cure x aliment) . But as with the case with Walgreen’s Wal-born and the industry at large, the claims have gone too far and can even seem unethical. 40% of adults in British Columbia already take some type of supplement. While for many people this will be a simple vitamin, others may be taking some of the more controversial products. While increasing the regulation on the statements supplement manufacturers can post may be appealing, increasing customer awareness of the rules and industry may achieve the same result.
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0261-dietary-supplements
http://ecreditdaily.com/2013/09/refunds-buyers-walgreens-walborn-dietary-supplements/
http://www.cfdr.ca/CMSTemplates/CFDRWebsite/Templates/dloads/Whiting_presentation_vitamin_2008.pdf