Advisory

2006-108
November 2, 2006
For immediate release

Health Canada advises consumers not to use four unauthorized natural health products that claim to treat serious diseases

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers not to use four unauthorized natural health products that are promoted to treat serious health conditions such as cancer, arthritis and heart disease because such unapproved health claims are in violation of the Food and Drugs Act. These unproven health claims may mislead patients to use the unauthorized products in place of proven, approved treatment.

Although these products - Ellagimax capsules, Coral Max capsules, Coral Max without Iron capsules, and Advanced Arthritis Support capsules - are labelled as dietary supplements, they are being promoted with claims typically associated with drug products. These claims are evident in the products' labelling and promotional material. The safety and effectiveness of these products have not been proven.

Ellagimax, Coral Max, Coral Max without Iron and Advanced Arthritis Support capsules are distributed by Advantage Nutraceuticals L.L.C. of Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, the products have been sold over the Internet and may also have been brought into Canada for personal use by travellers.

Health Canada also advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they find any of these four products for sale in Canada. Health Canada has notified Customs officials to be on the lookout for these products.

Canadians who have used any of these products and are concerned about their health should contact a health care practitioner for advice. To date, no adverse reactions suspected to be associated with the use of these four products have been reported to Health Canada.

Consumers requiring more information about this advisory can contact the Health Canada public inquiries line at (613) 957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

To report a suspected adverse reaction to these or any other health products, please contact the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program (CADRMP) of Health Canada by one of the following methods:

Telephone: 1-866-234-2345
Facsimile: 1-866-678-6789

CADRMP
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Tunney's Pasture, AL 0701C
email: cadrmp@hc-sc.gc.ca

The CADRMP adverse reaction reporting form, including a version that can be completed and submitted online, is located on the MedEffect portal of the Health Canada Web site.

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Media Inquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709