Taro Pharmaceutical's "Bag O' Glass" Moment

Taro Pharmaceutical's "Bag O' Glass" Moment

I don't know who's "stupider" -- Taro Pharmaceutical, which published an OVIDE lotion branded comic book for kids without including warnings or the FDA, which sent the company a notice of violation letter because it did not include warnings such as "OVIDE Lotion is flammable?!"

Holy cow! Flammable?! Even with the warning, Taro should never promote this product in a  comic book aimed at kids!

It sort if reminds me of the Saturday Night Live "Bag O' Glass" skit featuring toy manufacturer Irwin Mainway, played byDan Aykroyd and Consumer Reporter played by Candice Bergen.

Consumer Reporter: So, you don't feel that this product is dangerous?

Irwin Mainway: No! Look, we put a label on every bag that says, "Kid! Be careful - broken glass!" I mean, we sell a lot of products in the "Bag O'" line.. like Bag O' Glass, Bag O' Nails, Bag O' Bugs, Bag O' Vipers, Bag O' Sulfuric Acid. They're decent toys, you know what I mean?

See the video of the skit on Hulu here.

Hat Tip to this Pharmalot story where you can read more about this.

"You Never Had Coffee Like This Before!": FDA Wants to Keep It That Way

"You Never Had Coffee Like This Before!": FDA Wants to Keep It That Way

FDA is warning consumers not to use "Magic Power Coffee," an instant coffee product marketed as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement. FDA says Magic Power Coffee contains the drug ingredient hydroxythiohomosildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. The Website is shown below:

If it weren't for this FDA warning I may never have HEARD of Magic Power Coffee, much less had it. It looks delicious and could solve two of my biggest problems: staying alert AND staying erect! I almost forgot to mention that Magic Power Coffee can also make me rich if I participate in an online multi-level marketing scheme! Wow! I might sign up even if all I get out of it is FREE Magic Power Coffee!

This is only one of several products sold over the Internet containing a Viagra-like substance that the FDA has warned consumers about. Frankly, none of the other products even tempted me. One other such product was "Stud Capsule For Men," which the FDA found to be "adulterated with sildenafil" (ie, Viagra). Unlike Magic Power Coffee, a "stud capsule" does not appeal to me. For one thing, the marketing is atrocious! "Stud Capsule" as a brand name is weak -- it accurately reflects what it is supposed to achieve, but does not conjure up the type of image I'd like to be associated with. "Magic Power Coffee," on the other hand, sounds much more intriguing. Plus, it's also recommended for women!

"Imagine an incredible coffee that not only tastes great," says the Magic Coffee marketing blurb, "but magically has an effect on both men & women! With Magic Power Coffee, your 'special moments' can increase to a level you only dreamed."†

There's even a foot note on the Website reminiscent of side effect warnings seen on drug.com sites:

"Individual results may vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this Website or in emails is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your doctor. Magic Power Coffee is not intended or to be used to treat any type of medical condition."

Can the FDA seize this product? I'm not sure. It contains a derivative of sildenafil, an FDA-approved drug, but it is not "counterfeit" Viagra. Also, the marketing does not make any claim that it is Viagra or has a medical use.

Of course, Magic Power Coffee could still contain other dangerous chemicals such as rat poison (for more on that, see "Was a Rat Harmed in the Filming of This Pfizer Commercial?").