AMA applauds FDA, FTC crackdown on sham opioid treatments

CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA) today commended the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission for issuing joint warning letters to the marketers and distributors of 12 opioid cessation products for illegally marketing unapproved products with claims about their ability to help in the treatment of opioid addiction and withdrawal. The following statement is attributable to Patrice A. Harris, M.D., chair of the AMA Opioid Task Force.

“This aggressive and timely action will save lives. Our patients with substance use disorder need safe and effective treatment, not sham treatments that fleece them and prey on the stigma surrounding this disorder.