Health Canada warns consumers against products to 'protect' against bird flu

TORONTO (CP) - With avian flu fears taking flight, Health Canada is warning consumers not to fall for the marketing claims of products professing to fight or prevent avian influenza. "There are currently no products authorized for sale in Canada that are indicated specifically for the treatment of avian flu," the department cautioned in a release Tuesday.

The release noted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued warning letters to nine American companies marketing products - mainly dietary supplements - with labels claiming they could treat or prevent avian flu or other types of influenza.

A spokesperson said Health Canada's warning was not triggered by proof such sales are going on in Canada, but rather that the reality of the Internet means products can be targeted at consumers everywhere.

"It's more of a precautionary approach," Christopher Williams said.

"There's no evidence that really shows that it's specifically to Canada that these products are marketed. But they're on the Internet so anyone can go and find them, essentially."

"There's no such thing as a generic Tamiflu and there's no such thing as a cure for the avian flu."

The department cautioned that consumers should only buy the flu drug Tamiflu with a prescription from a doctor. The drug should only be bought from pharmacies or reputable Internet pharmacies, it said.

It also warned that antibiotics, which treat bacterial ailments, aren't active against any form of influenza, which is caused by a virus.

© The Canadian Press, 2006