FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: June 6, 2012
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
U.S. Marshals seized misbranded drugs in MainePortland company promoted their products for disease diagnosis, treatment
On May 31, 2012, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Marshals seized drug products from Global Biotechnologies, Inc., of Portland, Maine, pursuant to a warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine.
According to the complaint, the company has made claims on its website, in promotional materials, and on the products’ labels that its products can diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent human diseases. The company’s products, including Glucanol, Healthy Trac, Immunol, and Lactopril, meet the FDA definition of drugs because Global Biotechnologies promoted them to treat diseases. However, the company failed to provide adequate directions for use for its drug products, causing those products to be misbranded drugs in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
“The public relies on the FDA to keep companies from claiming that their products improve medical conditions or diseases,” said Armando Zamora, acting director, office of enforcement, in the Office of Regulatory Affairs. “Using these products in the mistaken belief that they will cure a disease – especially when they cannot do so – represents a danger to the public’s health.”
Earlier, the FDA sent a warning letter to Global Biotechnologies advising the company that making treatment claims on its labels, promotional materials and websites caused the products to be unapproved new drugs and misbranded drugs in violation of the Federal, Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. At that time, the company committed to removing drug claims cited in the warning letter from its labeling. However, during a recent inspection, the FDA found that the company had continued to make illegal claims that cause their products to be misbranded drugs.
No illnesses have been associated to date with Global Biotechnologies’ products. Illnesses or adverse events related to use of these products should be reported to the FDA at caers@fda.hhs.gov or by calling 240-402-2405.
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The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation and for regulating tobacco products.
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