VIRA 38, Over-the-counter Bird Flu Inhibitor Pulled. Another Herbal remedy axed by FDA.

Charles Hensley, the inventor of the well-known Zicam cold remedy, has been charged with importing and distributing an unapproved herbal product he claimed treated bird flu, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles.

In 2005, when fears of a bird flu epidemic ran high, Hensley, 57, was attempting to market a product called Vira 38 as a regular flu remedy in Hong Kong, says the U.S. Attorney's office. However, studies did prove that Vira 38 was somewhat effective at inhibiting the bird flu. The active ingredient in Vira 38 is basically a derivative of black tea, called Theaflavin-3 showed a protective action against the virus.

PRB Pharmaceuticals and Lee's Pharmaceuticals announced today that a recent study by Taiwan researchers from the National Health Research Institutes demonstrates TF2b and TF3, two components of v38 AMF-1, inhibit the 3C-like protease encoded by SARS-CoV. v38 AMF-1, a fraction of the flu medication VIRA 38, is best known for its ability to inhibit bird flu virus (H5N1) infections. The study ("Inhibition of SARS-CoV 3C-like Protease Activity by Theaflavin-3,3'-digallate (TF3)") was published in the June edition of Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. "The 3C-like protease (3CLpro) is one of the most promising targets for anti-SARS-CoV

Lee Pharmaceuticals made no claim that Vira 38 was a cure, but only a preventative. No doubt, a product like this would be shut down. It competes with Big Pharma, there are no kickbacks to physicians, and the FDA is on a draconian mission to destroy the supplement industry.

Mr. Hensley was messing with the wrong people.

Messing with the pharmaceutical industry is almost as dangerous as trying to move in on big oil...wish more people tried to though...