It should come as no surprise that some folks are trying to take advantage of the current swine flu scare to make a buck. On Friday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a joint bulletin warning the public to watch out for Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent or treat the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. Only two antiviral drugs have received FDA approval for prevention and treatment of H1N1:

• Tamiflu® (Oseltamivir Phosphate); and
• Relenza® (Zanamivir).

Unfortunately, supplies of Tamiflu are limited.

All other drugs are unproven and not approved by the FDA for use in treating H1N1. So taking these drugs or giving them to members of your family to prevent or treat H1N1 is not advisable. “The last thing any consumer needs right now is to be conned by someone selling fraudulent flu remedies,” notes the Chairman of the FTC.

If you want information about Tamiflu or Relenza, talk to your doctor or check out the FDA’s website, http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antivirals/influenza/default.htm.

Source: FDA/FTC Warning, May 1, 2009, http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/05/swineflu.shtm

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