SILVER SPRING, Maryland, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — If you buy imported products marketed as “dietary supplements” and nonprescription drug products from ethnic or international stores, flea markets, swap meets or online, watch out. Health fraud scams abound. According to Cariny Nunez, M.P.H., a public health advisor in the Office of Minority Health at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), health scammers often target advertising to people who prefer to shop at nontraditional places, especially those who have limited English proficiency and limited access to health care services and information.

Watch the video: Not All Imported Products Sold as “Supplements” Are Safe

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“These scammers know that ethnic groups who may not speak or read English well, or who hold certain cultural beliefs, can be easy targets,” Nunez says. For example, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians and Africans may have a long tradition of turning to more herbal or so-called “natural” remedies. Many advertisers put the word “natural” somewhere on the package of a product, knowing it inspires trust in certain groups.

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“Natural” Does Not Mean “Safe”

But just because a product claims to be natural doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe, says Gary Coody, R. Ph., FDA’s national health fraud coordinator. Likewise, just because a product claims to be natural does not mean that it’s free of hidden drug ingredients.

Furthermore, these products may also be contaminated or contain potentially harmful chemicals or drug ingredients not listed on the label.

For example, many products that claim to help people lose weight contain hidden and dangerous prescription drug ingredients such as sibutramine. Sibutramine was in Meridia, a formerly FDA-approved drug that was removed from the market in October 2010 because clinical data indicated it posed an increased risk of heart problems and strokes.

And just because an ingredient is contained in an FDA-approved drug product does not mean it is safe in the dosages or amounts used in these nonprescription products, according to Coody. Moreover, scammers seek out ethnic populations who are overweight or have serious conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or heart disease. They target consumers looking for easy—and sometimes less expensive—solutions to difficult problems. Using these products could mean delayed treatment for serious diseases.

Others illegally sell imported antibiotics without a prescription and with no physician oversight. According to Coody, this can easily lead to misuse and overuse, a key factor contributing to antibiotic resistance, meaning they might not be as effective in stopping infections when they’re truly needed. And some products marketed as dietary supplements resemble antibiotic products marketed in foreign countries—but actually don’t contain any antibiotics.

You may see these products advertised in ethnic newspapers, magazines, online, infomercials on radio and TV stations or in ethnic stores, flea markets, and swap meets, which may stock products claiming to be from, for example, Latin America or Asia.

“It’s not surprising that people are more comfortable with familiar products that claim to come from their home country or are labeled and marketed in the consumer’s native language, whether they buy them at a U.S. market or get them from friends and family who have brought them from home,” Nunez says.

But that does not guarantee the product is safe or effective.

By the same token, products with the claim “Made in the USA” may not be made here. Consumers sometimes see this claim as an assurance of safety, Coody says, but any scammer can slap the label on, and buyers are none the wiser.

In fact, the law does not require companies who make dietary supplements to get FDA approval before marketing their products.

“Remember, dietary supplements are not drugs,” Coody says. “They are not substitutes for the drugs your health care professional prescribes. And you should let your health care professional know what supplements you are taking, because they may interact in a harmful way with prescribed medications or keep a prescribed drug from working.”

Watch out for claims like these, which are often used to sell non-prescription health products. You can’t always trust what you read on the label or package—even if it is in a language you know. For more information about these products, visit:

How Do You Know It’s Fraudulent?

Watch out for these claims:

• One product does it all. Be suspicious of products that claim to cure a wide range of diseases.
• Personal testimonials. Success stories such as “It cured my diabetes,” or “My tumors are gone,” are easy to make up and are not a substitution for scientific evidence.
• Quick fixes. Few diseases or conditions can be treated quickly, even with legitimate products. Beware of language such as “lose 30 pounds in 30 days,” or “eliminates skin cancer in days.”
• “All natural.” Some plants found in nature can kill if you eat them. Plus, FDA has found products promoted as “all natural” that contain hidden and dangerously high doses of prescription drug ingredients.
• Miracle cure. Alarms should go off when you see this claim or others like it such as “new discovery” or “scientific breakthrough.” A real cure for a serious disease would be all over the media and prescribed by doctors—not buried in print ads, TV infomercials, or on Internet sites.
• FDA-Approved. Domestic or imported dietary supplements are not approved by FDA.

Finally, if you’re tempted to buy an unproven product or one with questionable claims, check with your doctor or other health care professional first. You can also check FDA’s website to see if the agency has already taken action on it.

Have a Bad Reaction? FDA Wants to Hear From You

Suppose you or someone in your family uses a product and has a bad reaction to it. That’s something FDA wants to know about so it can investigate and, if the product is found to be harmful, make sure appropriate action is taken.

You can report a bad reaction or a product defect by calling the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your state. Or you can report online at FDA’s MedWatch. Your report will remain confidential.

This article appears on FDA’s Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Media Contact: Gloria Sánchez-Contreras, [email protected]  301-796-7686

Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

DUARTE, California, March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — City of Hope today announced the launch of its first-ever broad, integrated Spanish-language communications campaign to reach the Hispanic community in Southern California. This multichannel campaign features stories from City of Hope cancer survivors, and highlights how doctors partner with researchers to create innovative treatments that help patients beat cancer and live fuller lives.

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“At City of Hope, we strive to provide our patients with comprehensive, individualized care supported by the latest scientific discoveries,” said I. Benjamin Paz, M.D. “Unlike most cancer centers, we treat our patients a few steps away from our medical research facilities, where physicians and scientists work tirelessly to develop medical breakthroughs that will result in lifesaving treatments.”

It is estimated that cancer is the leading cause of death among U.S. Hispanics, with more than 22 percent of total deaths in 2012 being cancer-related. It is critically important to educate U.S. Hispanics on the benefits of early detection and treatment. According to the most recent cancer figures in the U.S., about one in three Hispanics will be diagnosed with cancer in his or her lifetime. The American Cancer Society also estimates that one in five Hispanic men and one in six Hispanic women will die from cancer.

“You have cancer” is the last thing anyone wants to hear. While in her early 40s, Amelia Tena learned that her breast cancer had returned less than two years after the first diagnosis. She decided to search for specialized care at a comprehensive cancer center and found City of Hope. A Hispanic immigrant who came to the U.S. to work hard and achieve her own American dream, Amelia persevered, and eventually she beat cancer.

“Going to City of Hope was the best decision I ever made,” Amelia said. “I felt reassured to find doctors and nurses who spoke Spanish and who helped me with my treatment and surgery options. I had a whole medical team working for me, and together with my determination and my family’s support, they helped me beat cancer.”

With a focus on individual patients as well as their disease, City of Hope’s multidisciplinary care teams collaborate to treat both the physical and emotional needs of their patients. City of Hope offers comprehensive assistance for patients and their families through patient education, support groups, social resources and mind-body therapies to help patients return to a full, vigorous life.

Amelia is a living testament of how City of Hope works with patients, and her remarkable story was the inspiration for City of Hope’s new Hispanic brand campaign. A nine-year cancer survivor, Amelia lives an active lifestyle, practicing tai chi and taking long walks with her husband. She also serves as an ongoing volunteer at City of Hope, counseling Spanish-speaking patients who visit the treatment center.

“I am so grateful for the care I received at City of Hope and for the many resources they offer patients and their families,” said Amelia. “I recommend City of Hope to anyone who wants compassionate care in their language of preference, along with a team of doctors and scientists whose mission is to save lives.”

The campaign was developed based on key insights resulting from qualitative research conducted among Latino cancer patients and their caregivers. It includes Spanish-language TV, radio, print, digital and outdoor advertising, as well as online and social media.

To learn more about City of Hope, please visit www.cityofhope.org/espanol. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.

About City of Hope

City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation. City of Hope’s main hospital is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with community clinics throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation and genetics.

RACINE, Wis., March 7, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Today, as part of its commitment to provide at least $15 million to help protect families from the Zika virus, SC Johnson announced a donation of more than 60,000 cans and bottles of OFF!^® personal insect repellent to the CDC Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The repellent will be part of Zika prevention kits distributed by the CDC and specifically targeted to help pregnant women in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

“The Zika virus is devastating and continues to spread. We have a responsibility to help where we can, particularly for those at high risk. The people of SC Johnson are committed to helping these needy families protect themselves from the mosquitoes that may carry Zika,” said Fisk Johnson, SC Johnson Chairman and CEO.

In February, SC Johnson sent an initial donation of OFF!^® to the CDC to meet an immediate need for resources. The products were used in assembling 5,000 kits that have already been distributed. The additional units of OFF!^® personal repellent, which contains DEET, will be included in additional Zika prevention kits distributed by the CDC. The kits include educational materials, products and tools to help prevent the contraction and transmission of Zika.

This specific donation to the CDC is the first effort as part of the family company’s commitment to donate at least $15 million over the next year to provide products to help needy families combat the mosquitoes that may carry the Zika virus. The US CDC has been at the forefront of issuing educational resources about the Zika virus and continues to lead initiatives to address prevention needs throughout the U.S.

SC Johnson is the world’s largest manufacturer of insect repellent and household insecticides, including OFF!^®, Raid^®, Autan^® and Baygon^®. For more than 50 years, SC Johnson entomologists have studied insects at the Entomology Research Center in Racine, Wis., the biggest private, urban entomology research center in the world. In their research, they help SC Johnson create products that consumers can trust and to provide them with the right product for their pest control needs.

About SC Johnson

SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE^®, KIWI^®, OFF!^®, PLEDGE^®, RAID^®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES^®, SHOUT^®, WINDEX^® and ZIPLOC^® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN^®, TANA^®, BAMA^®, BAYGON^®, BRISE^®, KABIKILLER^®, KLEAR^®, MR MUSCLE^® and RIDSECT^®. The 130-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com

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