Here’s an understatement: Buyer beware!

We’re getting reports of scams, counterfeit products, and bogus personal protection equipment (PPE) being offered online and through various channels. Some even falsely claim they’ve received FDA certification. LegitScript broke down some of the scams in an article published on March 26. Read it at https://apha.us/LS_scams.

Know your suppliers. Protect yourselves and your patients. Though the agency is expediting reviews, there is no FDA-authorized COVID-19 “home test” yet. Monitor announcements from CDC, FDA, HHS, APhA, and other reliable sources of information on emerging changes in technology that may bring self-tests or larger supplies of COVID-19 therapeutics to market. Being first on your block may not be a good idea!

At least seven companies have received FDA warning letters for selling phony COVID-19 treatment or prevention products. Find out what companies have been warned at https://apha.us/FDAwarnings.

FDA has several webpages with information you may find useful, including alerts about fake vaccines, drugs, and test kits for both pharmacists and patients. You can direct patients to https://apha.us/COVIDFrauds and https://apha.us/ConsumerWarnings.

We got a few key points from FDA over the weekend that could help discern whether a company is legitimate.

FDA is still in the process of reviewing many emergency use authorizations, and they have a list of tests that have already been officially authorized. View the list at https://www.apha.us/AuthTests. The list is updated daily. There are emergency use authorized (EUA) point-of-care tests, but they are not CLIA-waived.

The agency also has an FAQ resource on diagnostic testing that you can use or share with your patients who have questions. Check it out at https://apha.us/TestingFAQs. Kaiser Health News also put out a great piece on why it takes so long to get test results. Read it at https://apha.us/KHNresults.

If you have diagnostic questions, contact FDA at COVID19DX@fda.hhs.gov.

FDA also has a list of PPE that has been authorized for emergency use. Check that out at https://apha.us/EUA_PPE.

If you have concerns about any fraudulent products, you can contact FDA at FDA-COVID-19-Fraudulent-Products@fda.hhs.gov.

Keep up with the latest by visiting APhA’s coronavirus resource center at www.pharmacist.com/coronavirus. Stay safe out there!