Measles and OTC Homeopathic Treatment: AAHP’s Position

As reported outbreaks of measles have risen in the U.S. recently, AAHP reminds manufacturers and marketers that Federal law prohibits the sale of products—homeopathic or otherwise—directly to consumers for the treatment or prevention of measles.  

In November 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent five Warning Letters to website retailers for selling directly to U.S. consumers homeopathic products labeled or promoted to treat symptoms of measles, among other infractions. FDA alleged that the products included “claims to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent serious and/or life-threatening conditions such as measles....” FDA took a similar position in a 2019 Warning Letter to a homeopathic manufacturer. 

Label claims will determine the OTC/Rx status of the homeopathic product. For a product to be non-prescription, the claims must be made for symptoms of conditions that are self-limiting and do not require medical diagnosis or monitoring. Most infectious diseases, including measles, fall outside the area of non-prescription status. Accordingly, AAHP makes clear its position that websites, marketers, and manufacturers selling homeopathic medicines as OTC products for epidemic and infectious diseases may be in violation of Federal law and risk significant FDA regulatory action. 

AAHP wishes to emphasize the seriousness of measles. For this reason, consumers are advised to consult a trained healthcare provider. Additionally, AAHP recommends that manufacturers, retailers, and consumers alike follow the advice of public health officials during all health crises. Up-to-date information on measles can be found through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html