The makers of Airborne vitamin supplement have agreed to a $23.3 million class action settlement for false advertising. Though it's now marketed as nothing more than an immune booster, the manufacturer used to advertise Airborne could prevent or cure the common cold, despite the lack of any real clinical evidence for such claims. Airborne's makers did not make any concession of wrongdoing, though they will pay for ads telling consumers how to seek refunds. They've already launched a website with settlement details here.
The settlement may not end Airborne's legal difficulties, however, as the Federal Trade Commission and several state attorneys general are continuing to investigate the company's claims. For the time being, however, marketing experts apparently believe Airborne sales will remain strong.
Orac at Respectful Insolence, who first wrote about Airborne's claims two years ago, has more here.
Now, I am not saying that Airborne shouldn't pay for false advertising. I do not care to defend them in the slightest. But, I am wondering, is there a way to get the benefits of the placebo effect in a way that exceeds the costs?
Also, most often when we are talking about placebo effects, we are referring to symptomatic relief, especially pain. A placebo will not serve in lieu of antiepileptic drugs to prevent seizures, nor in lieu of antiarhythmics to keep a heart beating regularly, nor in lieu of an antibiotic to cure pneumococcal pneumonia, etc. So, I don't know about Airborne or any other "placebo" for the prevention of common colds. I am very skeptical.
Doesn't a placebo seller have to be a scamster? If you know it's a placebo, does it still work?
I prefer the "apply directly to forehead" headache medicine, and the log that takes creosote out of my chimney.
Scientific American on Airborne
Thank you, thank you.
I'll be here all week.
I'm sure that this supplement must work. They say so right on TV.
Does that mean that social conservatives are happy that gays are divorcing?