Fraud, Scams and Slams: Health Care Quackery

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Fraud, Scams and Slams Health Care Quackery

• Prepared by
• Dr. Jan Park
• Gerontology Specialist
• Oklahoma Cooperative Extension service
• April 2002

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Medical Frauds Prey on the Elderly
Miracle Cures Offer Hope
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Dreaded Diseases Attract Quacks

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Anti-Aging Potions

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Beware Dont Fall Prey to Quacks

• Miracle drugs
• Too-good-to-be true products

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Ask Questions and Check Out the Product

• BEWARE!!!
• Miracle cures
• Natural products
• Scientific breakthrough
• Impressive jargon
• No side effects

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Ask Questions and Check Out the Product

• Information being suppressed
• Words like detoxify, purify, energize
• Testimonials
• Available one source
• Real cheap

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Cyberspace Health Care Quackery
Internet Scams
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Buying Prescription Medicine Online

• Way of the future

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Advantages of Buying Medication Through the
Internet

• Convenience
• Comparison shopping
• Greater Variety

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How to Buy Medications Safely on the Internet

• New Prescription
• Private sites
• Licensed Pharmacies

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How Does Online Sales Work?

• Open account
• Present prescription
• Learn delivery method
• Customer service

Rx
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Buy Only from Reputable Pharmacy Sites
Q

• Dos
• Licensed pharmacy
• VIPPS
• Prescription required
• Prescription verification
• Questions and answers

A
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Buy Only from Reputable Pharmacy Sites (cont.)

• Don'ts
• No customer service
• No prescription required
• Questionnaire
• Buy from sites that sell medications not approved
  by FDA
• Buy from foreign sites selling low cost
  medications

Not required
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The Problem with Regulating Internet Drug Sales
Federal Trade Commission Federal Drug
Administration National Association of Boards of
Pharmacy Federation of State Medical
Boards Verified, Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites
(VIPPS)
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Dietary Supplements a Heyday for Con Artists

• Unproven Dietary supplements risky
• Users! Dont quit taking prescription medications
  
• Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act

St. Johns Wort
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Dietary Supplements

• Pre-market Review Not Stringent

FDA
FTC
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Read the Label Before You Buy

• What is the product?
• Quantity
• Structure Function claim
• Directions
• Serving size, active ingredients
• Other ingredients
• Manufacturer, Packer, Distributor
• Customer service address/phone number

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Product Claims Allowed

• Nutrition content claims
• Disease claims
• Nutrition Support claims

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