Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
Question: If the placebo effect is huge, why doesn't the FTC or other Government entity do something to curb the non-stop television ads by companies making billions by selling OTC products solely by using anecdotal claims by customers?
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The federal agencies used to have exactly the authority you wish they now had. However they were stripped of the authority to regulate OTC "alternative/holistic/homeopathic/vitamin/supplement/amino acids/minerals..." products by Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 sponsored mostly by Sen O Hatch of Utah. Not surprisingly Utah was the home base of much of the industry producing these products.
The FDA used to have a rule that products must be safe and effective. That is still true for Rx meds. OTC nondrug products now only must be safe, no requirement for effective. The product label is supposed to accurately reflect what is in the pill but no government agency is checking for that. This is why some companies proudly tell you that their pill actually has what it says on the label. OTC drugs like tylenol are regulated and have useful label information.
When you see FDA approved that only means that what they are selling is allowed to be sold, not that any health benefits have been established. You will often see a statement like ""This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration." on supplements. It means exactly what it says. Buyer beware, YMMV
Advertising for supplements is no different than advertising for cars, soda, shampoos, or the most comfortable underwear.