Busted: Fraudulent COVID-19 Tests and Treatments

(RxWiki News) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers about fraudulent coronavirus tests, vaccines and treatments.

Currently, there are no vaccines to prevent COVID-19 or medications approved to treat COVID-19, according to the FDA.

Still, fraudulent products are claiming to cure, treat or prevent COVID-19. These products have not been shown to be safe or effective, the FDA noted. In fact, these fraudulent products may actually pose significant risks to you and your family.

If consumers turn to these products that claim to cure, treat or prevent COVID-19, this can result in delayed appropriate medical care or stopping of appropriate care. Delaying the right care or stopping appropriate treatment can place people at serious and life-threatening risk.

Some of these fraudulent products include essential oils, teas and tinctures; colloidal silver and dietary supplements; and other foods.

Other fraudulent products include drugs, medical devices and vaccines. Furthermore, there are currently no at-home test kits approved to diagnose COVID-19.

These fraudulent products are being sold on store shelves and online.

A few weeks ago, the FDA issued warning letters to seven companies for selling fraudulent products related to COVID-19. Since then, more companies and products have been discovered.

The following nine companies have received warning letters:

• Corona-cure.com (nasal spray)
• Carahealth (herbal products, including Carahealth Immune)
• Xephyr, LLC doing business as N-Ergetics (colloidal silver)
• GuruNanda, LLC (essential oils)
• Quinessence Aromatherapy Ltd. (essential oils)
• Vivify Holistic Clinic (Formula #1, 2 and 3 and Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset))
• Colloidal Vitality LLC (products containing silver)
• Herbal Amy LLC (Coronavirus Protocol (Coronavirus Boneset Tea, Coronavirus Cell Protection, Coronavirus Core tincture, Coronavirus Immune System, and Elderberry Tincture))
• The Jim Bakker Show (Silver Sol Liquid and products containing silver)

A few things the FDA wants the public to know when trying to judge whether a product is legitimate:

• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• “Miracle cures” that claim a scientific breakthrough or contain a secret ingredient are likely a scam.
• You can’t test yourself for COVID-19.

If you have symptoms related to COVID-19, follow the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and call your health care provider.

Currently, no vaccines, home test kits or medications have been approved to diagnose, prevent or treat COVID-19. If you have any questions, ask your health care provider.