[ELI5] How governments allow snake oil “medicine” to sell on TV, light night? Some of these products are dangerous to people, like prostate crap that will do nothing and may prevent the people to survive if diagnosed too late?

Question

[ELI5] How governments allow snake oil “medicine” to sell on TV, light night? Some of these products are dangerous to people, like prostate crap that will do nothing and may prevent the people to survive if diagnosed too late?

In: 1634

Answer 1

In the US, a lot of the blame falls on Orrin Hatch, a Republican/conservative (no surprise) who led an effort in the 90s to make sure the quackery was allowed (and yes there was also Democratic support too, but he led it). Lots of people may have died, but he and his donors got very rich.