Oops, They Did it Again…
Hell will freeze over before I shed any tears for Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals. The company and its execs just don’t seem to “get” that producing questionable supplements, making deceptive claims and committing outright felonies might not be the best way to run a business.
The latest problem? Supps adulterated with prescription drugs.
[Posted 06/19/2009] FDA and Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals notified patients and healthcare professionals of a nationwide recall of all product sold under the name Stamina-Rx. FDA lab analysis found that the product contained the undeclared ingredient ? benzamidenafil ? a drug in the same therapeutic class of active pharmaceutical ingredients that include the PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, that are FDA-approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Benzamidenafil is not FDA-approved, and poses a threat to consumers because benzamidenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease often take nitrates and may be most susceptible to adverse effects from this product. Stamina-Rx is sold predominantly in health food and drug stores nationwide. Consumers who have this product in their possession should stop using it immediately.
These guys have been under a “Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction” with the FDA since September, 2003. Think they’ll ever figure it out?
Nah, me neither…
July 5, 2009
It’s hard to believe a company like this can even stay in business. If I did the unethical and dishonest type of things in my business, I sure would’nt have any customers.
July 5, 2009
I think what Hi-Tech’s story demonstrates is that there’s so much money to be made in this industry, and usually, so little regulation, it is worth taking risks and breaking the law to get your piece of the pie.
Look for instance, at Kevin Trudeau…
http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2009/01/20/kevin-trudeau-makers-lipodrene-ftc-crosshairs/
… who, despite being on receiving end of the FTC’s wrath, continues to do business undeterred. Daniel Mowrey, Mitchell Friedlander and the folks at Dynakor Pharmacal, Basic Research are another example…
http://blog.ultimatefatburner.com/2008/06/05/eat-all-you-want-and-still-lose-weight-makers-of-akavar-2050-hit-with-class-action-lawsuit/
It’s possible the folks at Hi-Tech pushed the envelope a bit too far in their greed, and a result are paying the price. But I have no doubt that for many companies, the cost of possible FTC actions and class action suits are all factored into the overall business plan.
May 22, 2010
Pharmaceutical companies do this all of the time. The general population would never know Hi-Tech even made Stamina Rx. I only knew they made Lipodrene. Pharmaceutical companies use rare marketing strategies to create product recognition (outside of weightloss/gain supplements). They do this so that when they create a bad product nobody will remember who made it. You will rarely find the manufacturers name on your prescription drugs in bold faced letters…. It is unethical and wrong, but it is a multi-million dollar industry. CFO’s and executives have to eat too.