A pharmacist with over a decade of experience, Ashok Pinnamaraju is the owner of Williamson Road Pharmacy, an independent retail pharmacy in Roanoke, Virginia. Active in his field, Ashok Pinnamaraju belongs to the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).
Last March, the association echoed warnings from the US Food and Drug Administration about fraudulent influenza "cures." This past flu season was particularly rough, with a number of deaths reported from the illness. Attempting to capitalize on the heightened public concern, scammers have taken to marketing over-the-counter products that they say will cure or prevent influenza, even though the FDA has approved no such drug for that purpose.
The flu shot remains the most effective prevention tool available for the public to ward off influenza. For those who do contract the illness, it is important to remember that there are drugs available to treat symptoms, such as fever, but not to outright cure the condition.
