Many Ohio residents turn to dietary supplements with the specific intention of avoiding pharmaceutical drugs. For whatever reason, they use what they believe to be more natural and healthier alternatives, believing they are doing what is best for their health. Sadly, this may not be the case since the Food and Drug Administration failed to recall dietary supplements with undisclosed pharmaceutical ingredients that could cause serious health repercussions for consumers.
Research indicates that the FDA only forced or issued recalls for less than half of the supplements tainted by unapproved drugs. For example, some weight loss supplements contained an ingredient banned here in the United States. Certain supposedly natural sex supplements contained the primary ingredient in Viagra, which requires a prescription. Some muscle building products contain steroid-like or synthetic steroid ingredients. In some cases, at least two unapproved drugs were found.
Knowing the dangers of many pharmaceuticals, individuals here in Ohio and elsewhere purposely avoided these medications, most of which require a prescription to obtain. Even those dietary supplements the FDA did recall continue to be sold throughout the country. It is unclear why these recalls failed. In the meantime, unsuspecting consumers believe they are taking something without drugs, which may not be the case.
Many people believe that the Food and Drug Administration should be the last line of defense against defective and dangerous drugs. They may be right, but it appears that there are not enough resources to keep track of all of the drugs and dietary supplements out there. If someone suffers significant harm due to a supplement that contains one or more unapproved drugs, litigation against those believed responsible could be the appropriate course of action.
