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When people seek help for opioid withdrawal or addiction, it’s vital that they get the right kind of help. Products that promise miracle cures or fast results can cost precious time and money, lead to relapse, and even be dangerous. In the midst of the national opioid crisis, the FTC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that they are sending joint warning letters to numerous companies making potentially bogus – and illegal – claims that their products help with withdrawal symptoms or addiction.

Both the FTC and FDA monitor advertising claims about dietary supplements and other health products – and those claims have to be true, accurate, and supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. So it would be illegal to claim that a product or service provides a benefit when it doesn’t – for example, saying a pill can cure something when it won’t – or when the science behind the claim doesn’t back it up. The warning letters advise the companies to review the scientific support for their claims and, if necessary, remove or change those claims.

In another response to the crisis, the FTC also partnered with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to release a fact sheet on getting the right help with opioid dependence or withdrawal. People seeking assistance for themselves or a loved one should start with SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for live, free, confidential treatment referral and information, as well as SAMHSA’s confidential treatment locator. Also, check out the fact sheet for a list of questions to ask a doctor before taking any dietary supplement, for any reason.

Curious about how the FTC and FDA work together? Read more. And to share, download and print the fact sheet, please visit ftc.gov/opioidhelp.

 

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Ladybear63
January 25, 2018
I believe suing the pharmaceutical companies is ridiculous. They're not responsible for individuals who acquire narcotics illegally. This is the wrong way to wage the War on Drugs. Especially when there are so many individuals that use heroin, cocaine, crack, methamphetamines. If the government was able to wage the war on those drugs maybe there wouldn't be as many deaths. Waging War on the pharmaceutical companies hurts the individuals that suffer from chronic pain that are now having a difficult time receiving the medication they need to function everyday. Politicians need to quit using the opioid epidemic as a Soap Box to stand on.
Dough
January 26, 2018
I know it won't happen in my lifetime, but legalizing drugs will eliminate so many problems. Prisons are iverceowded and they let dangerous people out early. They are I ercrowded because so many minor drug users are imprisoned. The war on drugs is a joke. Billions of dollars thrown at the issue, money better spent elsewhere. If drugs were legal, dealers and suppliers would be out of a job. Gangs wouldn't be able to flourish because that's they raison d'etre. Drug prices would be regulated, and money could be spent on education. If someone wants to get high, let them. This has been going on for decades and the wrong people are making millions from drug sales. And preying on innocents. The war was lost before it began - it's time for something new.
Person
January 26, 2018
In response to ladybear, the pharmaceutical companies have created a very complex and robust industry and prescribing and making drugs that just create a dependence for people who are suffering from opioid withdrawal. These drugs are just as bad, because people are abusing the drugs. Other alternatives are being shutdown, because of the power of the pharmaceutical companies.
Ms Annie
January 30, 2018
I agree, for the most part. However, in the case of benzodiazapines, I DO think people should sue the companies. I am not referring to people who buy benzos illegally. Just prescribed benzos through a legitimate doctor. Those companies have known all along how incredibly dangerous these drugs are, but hid the evidence. These drugs can cause serious health problems when they are taken for any length of time, and for many people, getting OFF these drugs is an awful experience. Benzo withdrawal can kill people. Yes, doctors should know better, but apparently, they dont. The information about benzos can be hard for many people to find, much less to understand.
Trinadadk57
February 06, 2018

I'm looking for a Dr that is pain management and mental health I've self'medicating myself because I have know access to the meds I need.what go do

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