WARNING LETTER
Medicus Holistic Alternatives LLC
MARCS-CMS 542896 —
January 11, 2018
Recipient:
Recipient Name
Medicus Holistic Alternatives LLC
Medicus Holistic Alternatives LLC
6278 N Federal Hwy Suite 452
Fort Lauderdale
,
FL
33308
United States
Issuing Office:
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
United States
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
SILVER SPRING, MD 20993
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20580
WARNING LETTER
VIA OVERNIGHT DELIVERY
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
January 11, 2018
Phillip Knab
Medicus Holistic Alternatives LLC dba Natracet
6278 N Federal Hwy
Suite 452
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
2121 S Ocean Blvd
Apt 901
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
RE: 542896
Dear Mr. Knab:
This is to advise you that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed your website at the Internet address,www.natramedicus.com, in December 2017 and has determined that you take orders there for the product “Natracet.” FDA also reviewed your social media website at www.facebook.com/Natracet and the product label for your “Natracet” product.” The claims on your websites and product label establish that this product is a drug under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) [21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1)(B)] because it is intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. As explained further below, introducing or delivering this product for introduction into interstate commerce for such uses violates the Act. You may find the Act and FDA regulations through links on FDA’s home page at
www.fda.gov
. In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has reviewed your marketing claims for “Natracet” for potential violations of Sections 5 and 12 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C §§ 45(a) and 52.
Examples of some of the claims observed on your websites and product label that provide further evidence that your product is intended for use as a drug include:
On your product label:
Natural Withdrawal Support”
On your home page:
The Website Header, ““NatraMedicus Natural Opiate Withdrawal Support Supplement”
“Start Living YOUR Life again…[f]ree of … Anxiety...”
“Imagine a life without the irritability, cravings, restlessness, excitability, exhaustion and discomfort associated with the nightmare of addiction and withdrawal symptoms.”
“Break the pain killer habit”
“If you or someone you care about would like to STOP using painkillers, pain pills or other illegal substances make Natracet a part of your New Healthy Lifestyle.”
Finally, claims made on your Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Natracet, which links to your website, www.natramedicus.com where your product can be purchased directly, provide further evidence that your product is intended for use as a drug:
On your Timeline page:
On your January 2, 2017 response to a post: “Natracet is non addictive and may be very helpful in dealing with PAWS related symptoms such as cravings, etc. If you can deal with the short term physical maladies … you may find that this may help you get over the "hump" so to speak … [H]eroin addiction is a complicated and serious issue … try adding Natracet to your regimen of beating addiction”
On your December 28, 2016 post: “Natural withdrawal support ... win the psychological and emotional war on addiction. Life without opiates…”
Your product “Natracet” is not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, the product is a “new drug” under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(p)]. New drugs may not be legally introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from the FDA, as described in sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d), 355(a)]. FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data and information demonstrating that the drug is safe and effective.
A drug is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 352(f)(1)] if the drug fails to bear adequate directions for its intended use(s). “Adequate directions for use” means directions under which a layperson can use a drug safely and for the purposes for which it is intended (21 CFR 201.5). Prescription drugs, as defined in section 503(b)(1)(A) of the Act [21 U.S.C. 353(b)(1)(A)], can only be used safely at the direction, and under the supervision, of a licensed practitioner.
Your product
“
Natracet” is intended for treatment of one or more diseases that are not amenable to self-diagnosis or treatment without the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Therefore, it is impossible to write adequate directions for a layperson to use your product safely for its intended purposes. Accordingly, “Natracet” fails to bear adequate directions for its intended uses and, therefore, the product is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1)]. The introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of this misbranded drug violates section 301(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 331(a)].
The violations cited in this letter are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of violations that exist in connection with your product. You are responsible for investigating and determining the causes of the violations identified above and for preventing their recurrence or the occurrence of other violations. It is your responsibility to ensure that all products marketed by your firm comply with the Act and its implementing regulations.
You should take prompt action to correct the violations cited in this letter. Failure to promptly correct these violations may result in legal action without further notice, including, without limitation, seizure and/or injunction.
Unsubstantiated Advertising
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission has reviewed marketing claims related to opiate withdrawal and/or opiate addiction for “Natracet.” The FTC Act requires that health-related claims, such as claims that a product will treat or cure a disease or other health condition, must be supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence at the time the claims are made. In other words, it is against the law to make health claims, whether directly or indirectly, through advertising, the use of a product name, website name, or any other means, without adequate scientific support, or to exaggerate the benefits of products or services you are promoting.
Violations of the FTC Act may result in legal action in the form of a Federal District Court Injunction or an Administrative Order and may require that you pay money back to consumers.
Given the claims you are making, you should be aware of two FTC law enforcement actions challenging unsupported claims for the treatment of opiate addiction and/or opiate withdrawal symptoms:
FTC v. Sunrise Nutraceuticals, LLC
, which involved the product Elimidrol, and
FTC v. Catlin Enterprises, Inc.
, which involved the products Withdrawal Ease and Recovery Ease. The complaints and orders in those cases can be found at
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/152-3208-x160006/sunrise-nutraceuticals-llc
and
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/1623204/catlin-enterprises-inc
. The orders entered in both cases imposed monetary judgments and required the defendants to stop making deceptive claims.
The FTC strongly urges you to review all health-related claims that you and any of your affiliates are making in any medium. Competent and reliable scientific evidence for a product claiming to treat opiate withdrawal symptoms or opiate addiction consists of randomized, controlled, human clinical testing of that product. If any of your claims are not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence, you should delete or revise them immediately.
With regard to the advertising claims discussed above, please notify Edward Glennon of the FTC via electronic mail at
eglennon@ftc.gov
, within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific actions you have taken to address FTC’s concerns. With regard to the FDA-related violations described in this letter, please notify FDA in writing, within fifteen working days of receipt of this letter, of the specific steps you have taken to correct the violations noted above. Your response should include any documentation that would assist in evaluating your corrections. If you cannot complete corrective action within fifteen working days, please explain the reason for the delay and the date by which you will make the correction.
If you need additional information or have questions concerning any products distributed through your website, please contact the FDA. You may respond in writing to Compliance Officer Shawn Goldman at U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740. If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact Mr. Goldman at
Shawn.Goldman@fda.hhs.gov
.
Sincerely,
/S/
William A. Correll
Director
Office of Compliance
Center for Food Safety
and Applied Nutrition
/S/
Mary K. Engle
Associate Director
Division of Advertising Practices
Federal Trade Commission
Content current as of:
01/24/2018