Bioidentical Hormones - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

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Senator SMITH. Thank you very much.
Dr. GALSON. Thank you.
Senator SMITH. Eileen Harrington.
STATEMENT OF EILEEN HARRINGTON, DEPUTY DIRECTOR,
BUREAU OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, FEDERAL TRADE
COMMISSION, WASHINGTON, DC
Ms. HARRINGTON. Good morning, Ranking Member Smith. I am
Eileen Harrington, the deputy director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer
Protection.
The commission's written testimony has been submitted for the
record. My oral statement and answers to any questions you may
have represent my views.
You have asked us to discuss the FTC's efforts to address the
misleading online advertising of alternatives to hormone replacement
therapy, as well as our work to combat all types of Internet
fraud.
Among its many benefits, the Internet provides consumers with
access to a vast array of information and products, including
health-related items. Unfortunately, it also provides an opportunity
for irresponsible marketers to prey on consumers, making false or
misleading claims, causing economic injury, and posing potentially
serious consequences for consumers' health.
For over a decade, the FTC has been on the forefront of efforts
to protect consumers from online fraud. In doing this, we use a
three-pronged strategy.
First, we take law enforcement action to stop deceptive practices
and obtain redress for victims of fraudulent schemes.
Second, we conduct consumer education campaigns, often in partnership
with colleagues like the FDA, to help consumers spot and
avoid online scams in the first instance.
Third, we educate businesses to help them comply with the law
and avoid engaging in deceptive practices.
The FTC's work to address deceptive online health and safety
claims exemplifies our use of this strategy. We have aggressively
enforced the law, bringing 229 enforcement actions challenging online
false and misleading health and safety claims for products
ranging from weight-loss- pills to cancer cures.
For example, last November, following a fierce trial, the FTC
won a Federal court order requiring the sellers of the Q-Ray Bracelet
to refund up to $87 million to consumers who had purchased
the product based on false claims that the bracelets would significantly
reduce their pain.
On the consumer education front, the FTC provides consumers
with useful, creative and timely information to help them avoid
falling victim to false claims for everything from cure-alls to diet
and fitness products. We provide all of these materials on our Web
site. We spread the word offline, as well, often partnering with
private- and public-sector organizations to distribute publications
and our messages.
Our efforts involving alternative HRT products are a good example
of our use of the third prong of our strategy: educating business
about their legal responsibilities.