Meaningless label or smart marketing? Is Lipozene a weight loss wonder or a poster child for the FDA approval process?

If it sounds too good to be true (fill in the blank), it probably is! Lipozene is yet another over-the-counter product being promoted as a “weight loss” wonder answer-to-your-prayers; however, when you read the fine print you become aware of the real message: The FDA hasn’t tested this product (only approved it to be sold). Which in short means this: The FDA has only allowed it to meet the basic requirements for all OTC drugs and/or supplements.

So what, exactly, does that mean to the consumer consuming it? Simply this: If you’re buying a product based upon a perceived expectation, buyer beware! Unless it's FDA TESTED then you may not be buying what you're expecting.

Lipozene may be the poster child for this blog, but in reality, it’s just another good example of what is “allowed” in our country when it comes to “Over-the-counter” supplements and drugs being marketed to the general public: As long as the products passes through a basic requirement, it can be sold WITHOUT FDA testing. Did you know…

*1 out of every 10 medications purchased are OTC drugs

*A “drug” is defined by the FDA as “safe and effective” for use by the “general public” without seeking the treatment/recommendation by a health care provider/professional

*Once a drug or supplement is “vetted”, through a basic OTC process it gets to the shelf or through the gate to be sold to the general public without being fully tested or evaluated by the FDA

*There are over 300,000 (known) marketed OTC drug products in the market place (plus, a lot of products that are out there the FDA doesn’t know about or have reviewed)

*There are over 80 “therapeutic classes of drugs” that must comply with an OTC drug monograph developed by the FDA and published in the Federal Register. A “monograph” is a type of “recipe” book, covering acceptable ingredients, dosages, formulas and labeling for each product produced.

Once a company passes the basic requirements set forth by the FDA they can produce and sell their product WITHOUT FDA testing! With the exception of prescription drugs, these standards are customary to the industry.

So, what does that tell you? Labels only represent compliance with the FDA’s basic requirements. If you’re buying a product because you “think” the label has been tested thoroughly (not just approved for use) and is completely safe, think again.

To learn more, visit the FDA’s website by following this link: http://www.fda.gov/drugs/developmentapprovalprocess/howdrugsaredevelopedandapproved/approvalapplications/over-the-counterdrugs/default.htm and Office of Drug Evaluation IV home page . Also, visit http://www.consumerlab.com to see if the product you’re about to take has been evaluated/tested by this highly recommended independent lab. You never know….it might just save you from experiencing even greater problems than you expected.

Quick Tips for Wellness: Labels are “marketing” strategies. Learn to “read” past them to find out more about the OTC drug/supplement you’re about to ingest!


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