Federal prosecutors have accused a man in Georgia of falsely promoting and selling a drug that claims to reduce a user’s risk of contracting COVID-19.
Matthew Ryncarz and his company Fusion Health and Vitality, which operates under the name Pharm Origins, sold a product called ‘Immune Drug’, which was advertised as reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection by 50 percent.
In a release, U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine said the drug had been misused and had “false and misleading labeling,” prompting his office to file charges against Ryncarz and his company for violating the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Ryncarz targeted customers online at age 50 and older, prosecutors said, and sold the product for $ 19 per bottle with ads with language such as, “Is your life worth $ 19? Seriously, is it?” And “The next FIVE MINUTES you could save lives. “
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Christine said the case is an example of companies engaging in corrupt practices during the pandemic.
“Our office is committed to ensuring that businesses do not take advantage of a global health crisis and people’s fears of unfairly earning money,” he said in the release.
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