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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the marketing of dietary supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, foods, infant formula, pet foods/supplements, and even e-cigarettes. However, the regulatory classification of a product may not always be clear.

For instance, is a face wash an OTC drug or a cosmetic? (It can be either one.) Is an energy drink a dietary supplement or a conventional food? Is that compression garment a consumer product or a medical device? A product’s regulatory classification will determine both the claims that may be made for that product and any requirement for FDA premarket review.

The FDA’s regulations governing these types of products, in combination with misunderstandings about those regulations, are a frequent source of trouble for marketers.

When taking a product to market that is, or may be, regulated by the FDA, marketers should consider the following questions:

  • Are you certain of the regulatory classification of the product?
  • Does marketing for a cosmetic product claim that the product affects the structure or function of the body? (It should not.)
  • Do any claims for dietary supplements address a disease or disease condition? (They should not.)
  • Are the claims for OTC drug products consistent with the appropriate monograph?
  • For a medical device, is FDA clearance required prior to going to market? Have all claims been checked against the appropriate regulation or clearance?
  • Do your social media practices influence how your products are perceived by the FDA?

To learn about marketing FDA-regulated products, contact Todd Harrison or Claudia Lewis. For more insights into advertising law, bookmark our All About Advertising Law blog and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. 

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Todd A. Harrison

Todd Harrison, co-chair of Venable’s FDA Group, guides clients through the myriad government regulations associated with food and drug labeling and marketing. Working extensively in the areas of food and dietary supplement safety, labeling, and advertising claims, Todd helps clients in the consumer…

Todd Harrison, co-chair of Venable’s FDA Group, guides clients through the myriad government regulations associated with food and drug labeling and marketing. Working extensively in the areas of food and dietary supplement safety, labeling, and advertising claims, Todd helps clients in the consumer products, drug and medical device, and dietary products industries comply with government regulations. He regularly achieves favorable results in defending clients against Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advertising complaints, enforcement actions, and prosecutions, and overcoming competitor challenges in courts and other fora.

Claudia A. Lewis

Claudia Lewis, co-chair of Venable’s FDA Group, counsels clients on matters involving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation, labeling, and marketing of foods, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices, and other products. With deep knowledge of dietary supplement labeling regulations, Claudia represents scientists, physicians…

Claudia Lewis, co-chair of Venable’s FDA Group, counsels clients on matters involving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation, labeling, and marketing of foods, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices, and other products. With deep knowledge of dietary supplement labeling regulations, Claudia represents scientists, physicians, nutritionists, healthcare associations, and citizen groups. She has also aided international clients in establishing a U.S. market for their products. She has prepared and presented constitutional and administrative law cases before the FDA, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).