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May 14, 2008 8:07 am US/Eastern
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Pink Patch: Weight Loss Miracle?
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
Just like the nicotine patch and so many other prescription patches, the Pink Patch says it uses time release technology to send powerful herbal extracts directly onto the skin, which will control your cravings and get you skinny.
"I just wanted to lose a few pounds," said Riverdale's Milly Garabito, who tried the purported miracle weight-loss product. "I thought it would be a fast way of doing it."
Garabito is a student. She saw the Pink Path advertised on sites like Facebook and Hotmail with slogans like "be young and have fun with the body you've always dreamed of" and "cute little dress approved."
It markets itself to teen girls, despite a warning that it shouldn't be used by anyone under 18.
"These have been recucitated and sold targeted to young women," Dr. Arthur Grollman said.
Dr. Grollman is an expert in the clinical pharmacology of herbal medicines. His Congressional testimony helped ban the dangerous diet suppliment ephedra. He says there's nothing in this product proven to work.
"There is no herb that has ever been shown to be weight loss," he said.
The problem is that herbal supplements are completely unregulated and don't need to be studied for safety or effectiveness.
"There is no way to prove that it is pure so not only can it be adulterated, it can simply get toxic levels from the ground," he said.
"It didn't work for me so well after all," Milly said. She's just one of many who say it didn't work, and they couldn't get their money back despite a guarantee.
The Better Business Bureau has been flooded with dozens of complaints.
The company did not return our calls or email but on their website say results vary and recommend diet and exercise.
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