Drugs

Memory Supplements Failed Lab Tests: GAO

Seven samples of dietary supplements intended to improve memory were tested by a qualified laboratory and did not contain their stated ingredients in the stated quantity, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to two Democratic senators. The report says the senators asked GAO to examine the extent to which the selected memory supplements contained (1) their stated ingredients at the quantities stated on their labels and specific adulterants, and (2) certain contaminants.

GAO says it chose three supplements from among the 10 most-advertised products and bought the products for testing online and in stores, through major retailers or directly from the supplement companies. The tested products were marketed as a Ginkgo biloba supplement, a specialty memory supplement with multiple ingredients including Ginkgo biloba, and a fish oil supplement.

“In summary, we found that two of the three memory supplement products tested either did not contain their stated ingredients or did not contain the ingredient quantity stated on the label,” the report says. “The Ginkgo biloba single-ingredient product we tested was determined by laboratory scientists to contain no Ginkgo biloba and was found to be adulterated with one or more substitute ingredients. A second memory supplement product we tested, which contained multiple ingredients, contained lower amounts of ingredients than claimed on the label for at least two of the three ingredients tested. In addition, the laboratory found that the Ginkgo biloba in that memory supplement product was adulterated with substitute ingredients…. The fish oil product … contained stated ingredients at quantities above the label amounts. Lastly, the laboratory found trace amounts of contaminants in the selected supplement products, but at levels considered safe.”

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome