Chapter 16: Frauds and Quackery Flashcards
Quackery
false representation of a substance, device, or therapeutic system as being beneficial in treating a medical condition, diagnosing a disease, or maintaining a state of health (e.g., “snake oil” remedies; deliberate misrepresentation of the ability of a substance or device to prevent or treat disease)
True or false: in the eyes of the government or law, quackery is a form of fraud
true
The cure all is promoted by one of two types of people…
- the unskilled or ignorant healthcare practitioner searching for financial gain
2.the person who truly believes their product can help but is promoting something that is useless.
what does the dictionary define quack as
“a pretender of medical skill; an ignorant or dishonest practitioner.
-term originated in the 1600s as quacksalver
true or false: paracelsus was the first physician to be labeled as quack
true
National council against health fraud quack defintion
Anyone who promotes health schemes and remedies known to be false, or which are unproven, for a profit
The FDA estimates that __ million americans have used a fradulent health product within the past year
38
__ out of __ people who try quack remedies are harmed by the side effects
1 out of 10
FDA most common fraudulent health claims
cancer fraud-hoxsey cancer treatment or black salves
HIV/AIDs fraud-no cure for virus
Arthritis fraud-bee venom, gin soaked rasins, collodial silver, currently no prove or consisten cure for arthritis
fraud diagnostic tests
bogus dietary supplements
weight loss fraud-dieting is a constant concern for Americans, with more than 45% of overweight or obese people trying to lose weight, spending $60 billion on weight loss products.
sexual enhancement fraud-drugs sold for treating erectile dysfunction
diabetes fraud
influenza scams
You should be concerned about an alternative therapy if the product or advertisement you are research does the following:
promises a quick or painless cure.
claims its formula is secret or special and only available by mail or from one sponsor.
claims to have the cure the medical community does not want you to know about.
uses testimonials or undocumented case histories from satisfied patients.
claims to be a cure for everything.
claims to know how to cure a disease no one else understands (like hiv or cancer).
offers an additional “free” gift or a larger amount of the product as a “special promotion.”
requires advance payment and claims limited availability of the product.
true or false: if it sounds too good to be true than it probably is
true
Reality of quackery
consumers are responsible for their own susceptibility to quackery which means that you are responsible for protecting yourself
red flag claims for a product fraud and cancer
treats all forms of cancer.
miraculously kills cancer cells and tumors.
shrinks malignant tumors.
selectively kills cancer cells.
more effective than chemotherapy.
attacks cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact.
cures cancer.
True or false: the state division has a mechanism for registering consumer complaints
true
5 ways a consumer can protect themselves by assessing a diet
First, does the diet suggest you make significant calorie reductions? Reducing the calories you consume is a common element of diets, but drastic reductions (diets of 800–1,000 calories or less) are counterproductive. Second, diets that require special pills or powders are usually gimmicks, and will not produce long-term weight loss. In addition, since 2008, the FDA has identified more than 70 weight loss products that have undisclosed components in them, posing serious health risks to the consumer. Third, there is no scientific support for a single food or combinations of foods being the “key” to successful weight loss. If a product makes this claim, you are safe to reject it. Fourth, diets that completely eliminate everything from a single food group have not demonstrated long-term weight loss success. You may see short-term success, but this is more likely due to calorie reductions or reductions in water weight. Once you return to a regular diet, the weight will return. And finally, diets that require you to skip meals will not produce long-term weight loss.
