Supplement Firm Misbranded Products as Arthritis, Weight Loss, Memory Treatments

Supplement manufacturer Health Research Laboratories reached a settlement with the state of Maine and the Federal Trade Commission over charges it misbranded products as treatments for conditions like arthritis and memory loss.

The company used false and unsupported statements to promote a dietary supplement BioTherepex and a brain supplement NeuroPlus, according to the FTC. Through direct mail marketing campaigns, it falsely claimed the products could protect against dementia, reverse memory loss, treat arthritis and cause weight loss.

The firm’s direct mail brochures resembled scientific journals and featured quotes from non-existent doctors and consumers and, in the case of BioTherapex, a non-existent clinical study.