FDA Approval = Not Much?

By Amanda Pendolino on March 4th, 2010

• Link to StumbleUpon
• Leave A Comment

When weight-loss product Alli was introduced, I was impressed by its claim that it was the first weight loss drug approved by the FDA. (Imagine my chagrin when it only helped me lose two pounds in a month.) According to The Los Angeles Times, we should be more way of products claiming to have FDA approval or FDA certification.

“FDA approval is like the Good Housekeeping seal of approval, only much more so,” said says Daniel Carpenter, professor of government at Harvard University and author of the soon-to-be published book Reputation and Power: Organizational Image and Pharmaceutical Regulation at the FDA. ”Sellers try to take advantage of that reputation.”

Don’t be fooled. The words “FDA approved” or “FDA registered” don’t mean as much as consumers often assume. “FDA certification of a product is never a guarantee of safety or effectiveness of anything,” Carpenter says.

All products that make health-related claims need some kind of clearance by the FDA. Cosmetics don’t (unless they claim to treat specific problems such as dandruff or acne). Consumers trying to sort out marketing claims should understand that the FDA has different standards for different products.

The FDA only “approves” drugs and serious high-tech medical devices. Other products may be “listed” or “registered” with the agency, but that’s a big step down from actual approval. The FDA doesn’t regulate vitamins, herbs or other dietary supplements – so if those products are making claims about the FDA, be suspicious!

Photo: tips4hairloss.com