Greece Warns Against IV Therapies Marketed as Supplements

The Greek National Organization for Medicines (EOF) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding products marketed as "Intravenous Therapy" or "IV Vitamin/Nutrition Therapy." These products are being falsely presented as dietary supplements.

According to the EOF, these items are available as injectable solutions or "drips" containing vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or antioxidants. They are promoted with claims of "detoxification," "anti-aging," "weight loss," "toning," and "immune boosting."

The EOF emphasizes that these preparations are not dietary supplements. Substances and fluids intended for intravenous administration fall under pharmaceutical legislation and require a marketing authorization. This authorization is only granted after rigorous evaluation of the product's quality, safety, and efficacy.

Dietary supplements, the organization clarifies, are exclusively for oral consumption and are meant to supplement a consumer's diet. Conversely, any product claiming therapeutic or preventative properties is classified as a drug, regardless of its composition or form.

The illegal production and distribution of such products pose serious public health risks, the EOF states. These preparations have not undergone quality or safety assessments, and there is no guarantee they meet good manufacturing practices for sterile products. Furthermore, their injectable nature could lead to infections, allergic or anaphylactic reactions, local or systemic complications, and adverse effects from unverified active substances or contaminants.

Using these unapproved products instead of licensed medications for "therapeutic" purposes could result in patients not receiving effective treatment, the organization warns. The EOF urges citizens to avoid these injectable products presented as supplements due to significant health risks. The public is also encouraged to report any illegal practices related to these substances to the EOF. Individuals involved in the illegal production, circulation, distribution, promotion, or administration of these products face legal penalties.