Koren Publications Fights Federal Trade Commission "Enforcement" Action Koren Publications, one of chiropractic's largest and best known distributors of chiropractic patient education materials is the subject of an aggressive "enforcement" action by the Federal Trade Commission. In recent days, Dr. Ted Koren, the firm's founder and president, has issued a call for profession-wide help in his struggle with the FTC. ICA President, Dr. Robert Braile, on behalf of the Association, issued the following statement on August 26, 1998.
The International Chiropractors Association is aggressively
investigating recent activities of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
regarding that government agency's efforts to regulate statements made
on behalf of chiropractic in patient education and practice promotion
material. Specifically, the FTC has taken enforcement steps against a
major chiropractic publisher arguing that unsubstantiated claims about
the appropriateness of chiropractic for certain conditions have been
made and that the making of such claims constitutes misleading and false
advertising.
ICA's legal team has begun a detailed examination of the issues
surrounding the FTC action to determine the exact implications for the
chiropractic profession at large. ICA is keenly aware of the potential
danger of government policies that might unfairly restrict the free
exchange of vital health information between patient and doctor and is
determined to fight any such policy with all of the political, legal and
public relations resources it commands.
The FTC has stated that claims regarding the effectiveness of health
procedures must be validated by "research" before they can be used in
"advertising". ICA is deeply concerned that the FTC has singled out
chiropractic for unfair and discriminatory treatment in this area.
ICA's Washington staff will be seeking answers from the FTC regarding
the treatment of medical advertising and information to make certain
that one and only one standard is in place and that that standard is not, by design, unfair to chiropractors and chiropractic patients.
ICA is concerned that the chiropractic profession be aware of the
recent FTC activities and urges all chiropractic organizations to
examine this matter. ICA also stands ready to combine forces with any
and all chiropractic organizations in a profession-wide campaign to
fight the Federal Trade Commission's efforts should it be determined
that such an effort is called for.
For information obtained directly from Dr. Koren, Surf Here!
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