Despite FDA Warning, Zicam Still On Shelves
Company Advises Consumers To Discard Products
Theresa Marchetta, 7NEWS Anchor
POSTED: 5:13 pm MDT June 17, 2009
DENVER -- On the heals of a warning from the U.S. Federal Drug Administration, the Call7 Investigators find nasal Zicam products still on store shelves.
The FDA issued the warning letter to the makers of Zicam after the agency received more than 130 reports of loss of smell associated with the use of the over the counter product.
The Call7 Investigators were the first to uncover potential health problems with the cold remedy 5 years ago.
Call7 Investigator Theresa Marchetta checked Denver area stores to see if the Zicam products listed in the warning were still being sold and had no trouble finding them.
Walgreens spokesperson Robert Elfinger told the Call7 Investigators the company's stores pulled the Zicam nasal swabs and sprays from shelves yesterday.
He also said the products were flagged at the register so if a customer tried to purchase them, the cashier would be alerted and advise the customer not to make the purchase.
But when Marchetta visited a Denver area Walgreens, she found not only were the products still on store shelves, they were also on sale.
She also purchased the Zicam nasal gel at the register with no comment from the cashier.
Elfinger was shocked to hear the products were still being sold and told Marchetta he would address the issue.
The Call7 Investigators also found the same Zicam products at a Denver area Kmart store.
Kmart spokesperson Chris Drathwaite initially told Call7 he had not yet heard of the FDA warning about Zicam.
He later told Call7 a communication had been sent to Kmart, Super Kmart, Sears Essentials and Sears Grand Stores first thing this morning asking them to pull the two products.
Drathwaite also said anyone who has the product and wants to return it can do so for a refund.
While it is not illegal to sell the Zicam nasal products under the FDA warning, Call7 found the response by local retailers was slow.
The FDA does not have the authority to recall an item, but their warning to Matrixx Initiatives, the makers of Zicam, resulted in the company pulling the products.
The company issues a statement saying, in part, "It is voluntarily withdrawing Zicam cold remedy swabs and Zicam cold remedy gel from the market," and that "based on the FDAs recommendation, consumers should discard any unused product."
Matrixx also insists its products are safe.
The FDA will make the company prove it, requiring the makers of Zicam to meet the same thorough scientific testing requirements as other over the counter drugs.
Dietary supplements like Zicam and homeopathic remedies are not usually subject to those requirements.
The FDA told Call7 the agency's action is not part of a crack down on homeopathic remedies and is no cause for greater concern. |
