The rules are different here in the United States. Hyde Park Holistic Center in Cincinnati recently received a warning letter from the Food & Drug Administration that read like many others having to do with nutritional supplements and the H1N1 virus. In China, though, the same admonishment could not be heard. First, the FDA’s message [...]

The first paragraph in the New York Times story said it all: “The Drug Enforcement Administration has classified as controlled substances three steroids that are marketed as dietary supplements, but an antidoping official warned that new steroids have taken their place on the shelves of nutrition stores.” The DEA’s actions are the equivalent of the [...]

Two days of hearings before the FDA about search-based advertising for drugs produced one possible solution: fixed warnings for products. Google has proposed that its AdWords could include a hyperlinked line that warns consumers about the potential dangers of a drug.

On Nov. 12, drugmakers and search-engine advertising agencies participated in about 30 presentations before the FDA. The hearing room was so crowded that most people seeking an audience seat were turned away. What did the company executives say?

Should there be a language standard in Google ads for supplements? Drug marketers may adopt rules given the close scrutiny that the FDA is giving search-generated ads for pharmaceuticals. It may also be time for makers and marketers to set rules what is allowed.

The FDA has been busy this past month, sending out warning letters left and right on a variety of topics to Weill, P&G and others.