The Internet and Health Fraud Team is the focal point for fraudulent products. The IHF team also evaluates nontraditional and homeopathic products. The regulation of nontraditional drugs resulted indirectly from a four-year Congressional review of the impact of quackery on the elderly. The report specifically identified ways that the agency can address Health Fraud issues in the United States.
The purpose of the IHF team is to detect fraudulent drug products that pose a health hazard to the public through deceptive and
misleading promotions. These products include those that are likely to:
- Directly cause death, injury, or other serious adverse effects when used as directed, and
- Indirectly cause harm to consumers who rely on an ineffective product with exaggerated or false
claims resulting in delay or discontinued use of appropriate medial treatment.
The Health Fraud and Internet Team is Responsible for:
- Protect the public health by assuring compliance with the new drug adn misbranding requirements
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
- Prioritize unapproved new drugs identified for regulatory action using risk-based assessment and
develop comlpiance strategies to address the most significant legal violations.
- Providing guidance to the Districts in headquarters-issued assignments and Drug Fraud Bulletins, and
furnishing Districts with information and reports of surveillance concerning health fraud products.
- Consulting and advising the districts concerning surveillance investigations and candidates for
enforcement.
- Approving or disapproving regulatory sanctions and supporting litigation arising from this program.
- Maintaining contacts with other federal components to assure that consumers are properly advised
about fraudulent products on the market.
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