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Program Description:
- What is AIDS Fraud?
AIDS HEALTH FRAUD is the deceptive
promotion, advertisement, distribution, or sale of articles represented as being effective
to diagnose, prevent, cure, treat, or mitigate HIV/AIDS, or provide a beneficial effect on
health, but which have not been scientifically proven safe and effective for such
purposes. Such practices may be deliberate or done without adequate knowledge or
understanding of the article.
- What is the AIDS Health Fraud Task Force Network and who are its
members?
The AIDS Health Fraud Task Force network is a nationwide program,
sponsored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to educate the public about the
dangers of AIDS health fraud and to increase patients' ability to make informed decisions
about their health. Task Force members include representatives from local community AIDS
education and service organizations, state and local health departments, professional
health organizations, law enforcement/regulatory agencies, and persons living with AIDS.
- Why does the FDA support and fund this effort? Because AIDS
Fraud is Dangerous! -- Using products or services that do not work may delay someone from
getting proper medical care. Even though there is no cure for AIDS, there are treatments
that have been proven to extend life in people with HIV infection or AIDS. When people are
confronted with a life-threatening illness like AIDS, they are often willing to try almost
anything that promises to help. Promoters of fraudulent AIDS products target not only
people who are already infected with HIV, but also prey on the fears of people who are at
risk for infections.
- Why join the AIDS Health Fraud Task Force Network?
When
you join this network, you are working with others in your state, and from around the
country, to educate and protect the public from fraudulent activities associated with
HIV/AIDS.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE AIDS TASK FORCE
NETWORK CONTACT:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Office of Regulatory Affairs/Regional Operations
Division of Federal-State Relations
5600 Fishers Lane (Room 12-07), Rockville, Maryland 20857
Telephone: 301-827-6906 FAX 301-443-2143
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