Nov 9, 2009 10:12 am US/Eastern
Schumer: Crack Down On Phony Flu Products
NY Dem Says Scam Artists Preying On Fear Of H1N1 Virus, Selling Phony Pills, Gloves, Inhalers, Masks & Shampoos
ALBANY (CBS) ―
-
-
H1N1 vaccine.
Justin Sullivan /Getty Images
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is calling for a crackdown on what he says are phony pills, gloves, inhalers, masks, shampoos and even air fresheners sold on the Internet as remedies for swine flu.
The New York Democrat says scam artists are preying on the fear of the H1N1 virus and making the flu season worse. He says consumers who buy the items are less likely to get vaccinated and more likely to catch and spread the swine flu.
Schumer tells The Associated Press he's making his request Monday to the Federal Trade Commission.
He's asking FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz to act immediately on the "hucksters" and to identify scammers publicly. Schumer is also contacting Dr. Margaret Hamburg, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to other influenzas, and may include a fever, coughing, headaches, muscle or joint pain, sore throat, chills, fatigue, and runny nose.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
2009 Celebrity Deaths
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments