General News of Friday, 6 July 2012

Source: GNA

FDB cautions public about fraudulent health claims

The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has warned that some unscrupulous people are operating illegal treatment schemes in some parts of country using food supplements for the treatment of diseases.

The practice is going on particularly in the Brong Ahafo and Ashanti Regions.

The FDB said the so-called health facilities or clinics were engaged in fraudulent diagnosis using unapproved and uncertified medical devices and ‘treating’ their patients with food supplements imported and distributed by Dynapharm Company Ghana Limited.

Some of the diseases that they claim to treat with their food supplements include: Cancers, Heart Diseases, Diabetes, Parkinson Diseases, Epilepsy, Reproductive Disorders, Allergies, Asthma, Hepatitis and Kidney Problems.

A statement issued by the board therefore caution the public to desist from patronising these fake treatment schemes.

The food supplements being fraudulently used include Ganoderma, Dyna Serenoa, Spirulina Tablets, Nonicare Instant Cereal, Noni Plus Tea, Dyna RH Capsules, Pro Young, Dyna Tonic, Yee Yang Yen and Wheat Grass Extract Powder.

The FDB reiterated that food supplements are not medicines and therefore have no therapeutic indications.

“Their wrongful use to treat disease conditions can result in worsening of the disease condition which can even lead to death in some cases.”**