NAD Refers IV Drips to FDA and FTC for Claims that IV Hydration Therapy Protects Against COVID-19
For Immediate Release
New York, NY – July 30, 2020 – The National Advertising Division (NAD), a division of BBB National Programs, has referred advertising claims made by IV Drips, Customized IV Hydration & Wellness (“IV Drips”) for its IV Hydration Therapy to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for review. The advertiser did not respond to NAD’s request to provide substantiation for its claims.
Through their routine monitoring program, NAD challenged IV Drip’s Instagram post for IV Hydration Therapy, including an image with the text:
“Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones Boost Your Immune System,”
Associated text stating “Trump Declares National Emergency Over COVID-19,” and
“Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Strengthen your first line of defense with an immunity Drip.”
NAD determined that the immunity-boosting claims, together with references to COVID-19, reasonably convey the implied message that IV Hydration Therapy protects users against COVID-19.
NAD noted that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA have both stated that there are no approved vaccines, drugs, or investigational products currently available to treat or prevent COVID-19. Both the FDA and FTC have issued dozens of warning letters to companies making claims about their products’ ability to treat or prevent COVID-19. Health and safety concerns are a top priority for NAD’s monitoring efforts, with attention currently focused on advertising for COVID-19 treatments.
NAD was disappointed that the advertiser did not participate in the self-regulatory process, despite repeated outreach attempts. Considering the advertiser’s failure to provide a substantive response to NAD’s request for substantiation for its claims or participate in any way in the self-regulatory process, NAD has referred the matter to the FDA and FTC for possible enforcement action.
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