Marshals seize unapproved, misbranded drug products in Missouri

Federal marshals seized more than 1,600 containers from a Missouri distributor last week, alleging that the drugs were unapproved by FDA and misbranded.

According to an FDA news release, these 3 products were taken from a Notions-n-Things Distrbution warehouse in Bogard, Mo.:

Chickweed Healing Salve, allegedly marketed as a skin cancer treatment.

To-More-Gone, which allegedly claims to cure cancer and other diseases.

R.E.P., which allegedly claims to cure stress headaches and sinus infections, but contains no ingredient information on its label.

The seizure followed a civil forfeiture complaint that was filed in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., FDA said.

According to the federal complaint, Chickweed Healing Salve contains comfrey, which may increase the risk of systemic toxicity, and To-More-Gone contains bloodroot, a caustic, corrosive substance that produces a thick scar that can mask tumor recurrence. The products have not been approved for those treatments, FDA said.

In addition, the seized products are “misbranded” under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the complaint stated.

“Two important protections for the public are that a firm may not sell new drugs unless they have been tested and approved by FDA, and a firm may not make false or unsubstantiated claims about drugs they sell,” said Dara A. Corrigan, FDA’s associate commissioner for regulatory affairs. “When a firm disregards these protections, it not only violates the law but also creates a risk for consumers.”

The companies could not be reached for comment.