Health Canada is warning Canadians to be careful about buying products — including drugs, natural health items, homeopathic products, and medical devices — that make “false or misleading claims” to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.
The agency said it has received reports about health products that make false or misleading claims and has issued letters to several companies directing them to immediately remove these claims from their websites and advertising materials.
The products include some masks, colloidal silver, some disinfectants, plant-based elixirs and formulas, hand sanitizers, Chaga mushroom blends, ultraviolet lamps, and oregano oil.
The federal government has published a list of hand sanitizers and disinfectants that meet Health Canada’s requirements, and provides guidance on the use of masks and respirators during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The department continues to monitor websites for false claims and is working with online retailers to ensure that products making unauthorized claims are removed from their websites. Health Canada is also coordinating with other government departments such as the Competition Bureau to address the issue of false and misleading claims related to COVID-19.
Selling or advertising health products that make false or misleading claims is illegal.
Health Canada has these suggestions:
- If you have purchased products that claim to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19, stop using them immediately. Consult a health care professional if you have any concerns.
- Check the product for an eight-digit drug identification number (DIN), natural product number (NPN) or homeopathic drug number (DIN-HM).
- If you have any information on potential false and misleading advertising or the sale of products that have not been approved by Health Canada, report it.
- Avoid buying health products from questionable websites. If you’re not sure if an internet pharmacy is legitimate, contact the pharmacy regulatory authority in your province.
- Report any health product adverse events to Health Canada.
More information about buying health products safely is available on Health Canada’s website.
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