FDA Uses Swine Flu "Emergency" to Ban Homeopathic Flu Remedies

A "Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List" has been drawn up by the FDA. They put companies on without even a hint of proof—and never remove them.

by Heidi Stevenson

14 December 2010

The FDA is demonstrating a pattern of deceptive and power-grabbing methods to squeeze out homeopathic remedies. They are now claiming that the swine flu pseudo-pandemic gives them the right to label homeopathic, and other, products as fraudulent for making claims of treating influenza. They do not even attempt to back up their claims. The FDA makes a claim, they write a letter to each company they've deemed to be violating their claim, and the products are effectively banned—unless the company hopes to stand against them.

It recently came out that Hyland's, a major homeopathic remedy manufacturer, was under FDA attack for their teething products. That, though, is merely one tactic in what appears to be a war against homeopathy. The FDA has also drawn up a list called "Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products List". The following companies are listed:

• Boiron
• Celletech
• Heel, Inc.
• Hyland's
• Natural Care

The list contains a wide array of alternative and natural health products, but not a single pharmaceutical drug. Tamiflu, manufacturered by Genentech and now distributed by several companies, isn't included—though it does nothing more than ease flu symptoms by, at most, a day, and does so with risks of extremely severe adverse effects, including anaphylaxis, liver damage, pneumonia, hallucinatons, and even death.

Not one of these companies sells an influenza product that has been shown to cause harm. Not one of them sells an influenza product that has been examined or tested by the FDA. Yet all of them have been listed as selling fraudulent products, based solely on the FDA's decision to do so. Each one of these companies is being libeled by the FDA. Each one is suffering harm at the hands of the FDA.

And each and every one of us is being denied access to products that the FDA has presumed it has the right to take off the market because...well, because they presume to have the right.

The FDA lists, without any research or backup documentation, entire companies as selling fraudulent products. Even when those companies capitulate to the pressure by removing those products, their names remain on the list. What purpose could possibly be served, other than an attempt to drive homeopathic remedy, and other natural product, manufacturers and distributors out of business?

The most insidious part of this campaign is its piecemeal approach. Hyland's was attacked for selling a product with homeopathic Belladonna. The FDA even made a video warning parents about the claimed risks of the product. Even in a worst-case scenario, the product poses less risk than giving a single baby aspirin. Yet the FDA isn't issuing letters telling marketers to remove aspirin from their shelves.

Now, a bogus campaign against homeopathic remedies that may prevent or ease flu symptoms has been launched. These products are legally made and sold without prior FDA approval. However, the FDA claims powers they've never been granted by using twisted and distorted logic:

Unfortunately, it tends to pass under the public's—and even homeopaths'—radar, because it's just one kind of product. Each company reacts individually, since they are attacked individually. They look at the immediate problem: Should they drop that particular product and save the rest, or should they attempt to fight? These companies are usually relatively small. The few that aren't are not harmed because they sell a large range of products

Even the biggest homeopathic remedy manufacturer is tiny compared to the might of the FDA. Should a company win against the FDA, it would by a pyrrhic victory, leaving a shell of a company that would still be vulnerable to continued attacks.

Naturally, most of these companies capitulate. So the problem, the FDA's intent to destroy homeopathy, along with other natural non-allopathic treatments, survives—and worse, it grows stronger. Once a precedent has been set in the removal of a product simply because the FDA demands it, then it becomes more difficult to fight them in the future.

Now, a completely bogus excuse can be used to force products off the market. The thoroughly discredited fraudulent swine flu campaign was used to declare that a health emergency existed. That was then used by the FDA to attack homeopathic medicines. If the FDA has its way, all homeopathic products used to treat influenza will shortly be illegal.

What's next? Homeopathic Arnica is a mainstay in many homes to alleviate pain in injuries and speed healing. Will the FDA decide that it must be removed from the market because it's made from a poisonous plant? Will they decide that homeopaths can't distribute homeopathic remedies based on the idea that they're intended to heal, and each instance of use needs to be run through a full-fledged drug trial?

The day is fast approaching when these things will happen. Who would ever have imagined that a fake flu emergency would result in an attempt to ban all homeopathic flu remedies? It's happening now. And right now it's time to let your representatives in Congress know what you think of the FDA's invasion into our freedom to choose how to manage our health. After all, the FDA has stated that you have no right to health! As long as you're quiet, it's going to continue, until the FDA has completely locked down any access to homeopathic treatment.