FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb expresses concern about Walgreens, CVS stepping into the CBD market

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner is expressing discomfort with recent announcements from CVS and Walgreens—the two drugstore behemoths plan to start stocking their shelves with CBD-infused products.

 

 

“We expressed concern yesterday, I did, about Walgreens and CVS stepping into this market,” Scott Gottlieb told legislators at a House Appropriations Committee Hearing yesterday. “So you now see big-box stores seeking to market CBD products for some uses where the claims seem to be potentially over the line, for the treatment of pain for example.”

Although CBD from hemp has been legal in certain products since 2018’s Farm Bill was passed, it remains illegal to add the cannabinoid to food, beverages and dietary supplements, or to make specific, unproven claims with regards to certain treatment claims.

Gottlieb also took to social media to express his concerns, and although he did not name either company directly, he did say that the FDA would be in touch.

I was also concerned to hear recently that several national pharmacy chains and other major retailers have begun to sell or will soon begin to sell cannabidiol (CBD) products in several states.

— Scott Gottlieb, M.D. (@SGottliebFDA) April 2, 2019

“I was also concerned to hear recently that several national pharmacy chains and other major retailers have begun to sell or will soon begin to sell cannabidiol (CBD) products in several states,” Gottlieb tweeted April 2. He followed with another tweet that promised: “We’ll be contacting them to remind them of #FDA obligations and our commitment to protect consumers against products that can put them at risk.”

CVS and Walgreens both proclaimed their intent to sell CBD beauty and wellness products in select stores last March.

Although CBD from hemp has been legal in certain products since 2018’s Farm Bill was passed, it remains illegal to add the cannabinoid to food, beverages and dietary supplements, or to make specific, unproven claims with regards to certain treatment claims. The FDA sent a warning letter last year to businesses making unfounded claims regarding CBD in the treatment of illnesses like cancer.

The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday sent several warning letters to companies allegedly making unproven claims about CBD treating ailments like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and others.