Walgreens Settles with FTC

WASHINGTONWalgreens will pay nearly $6 million to settle FTC charges that the company used deceptive advertising for its Wal-Born dietary supplements. In addition, two officers of the contract manufacturer of the product, Improvita Health Products, reached a settlement with FTC, agreeing to pay $565,000 to the agency; FTCs suit against Improvita is still in litigation.

According to FTCs complaint, Walgreens advertised its Wal-Born supplements online, in advertising and on product packaging touting the products ability to fight cold and flu symptoms and boost immunity. The store-brand products were manufactured by Improvita as an alternative to Airborne dietary supplements.

Under terms of the settlement, Walgreens and the Improvita officers are barred from claiming their products prevent or treat cold or flu symptoms, or protect against such viruses by boosting the immune system. The $5.97 million Walgreens settlement includes $1.2 million used to pay consumers as the result of a separate class action suit.

FTC settled similar cases last year with CVS and Rite Aid, also related to advertising for Airborne-type supplements.