UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
AGREEMENT CONTAINING CONSENT ORDER The Federal Trade Commission has conducted an investigation of certain acts and practices of Snore Formula, Inc., a corporation; Dennis H. Harris, M.D., individually and as an officer of Snore Formula, Inc.; Ronald General, individually and as an officer of Snore Formula, Inc.; and Gerald L. "Jerry" Harris, an individual, also doing business as KJ Enterprises ("proposed respondents"). Proposed respondents, having been represented by counsel, are willing to enter into an agreement containing a consent order resolving the allegations contained in the attached draft complaint. Therefore, IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between Snore Formula, Inc., by its duly authorized officer; and Dennis H. Harris, M.D., and Ronald General; individually and as officers of Snore Formula, Inc.; and Gerald L. "Jerry" Harris, an individual, also doing business as KJ Enterprises, and counsel for the Federal Trade Commission that: 1.a. Proposed respondent Snore Formula, Inc., is an Arizona corporation with its principal office or place of business at 4105 N. 40th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85018. 1.b. Proposed respondent Dennis H. Harris, M.D., is an officer of the corporate respondent. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs, controls, or participates in the policies, acts, or practices of the corporation. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of Snore Formula, Inc. 1.c. Proposed respondent Ronald General is an officer of the corporate respondent. Individually or in concert with others, he formulates, directs, controls, or participates in the policies, acts, or practices of the corporation. His principal office or place of business is the same as that of Snore Formula, Inc. 1.d. Proposed respondent Gerald L. "Jerry" Harris is an individual also doing business as KJ Enterprises. His principal office or place of business is 3321 Old Mallard Road, Enid, OK 73703. 2. Proposed respondents admit all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the draft complaint. 3. Proposed respondents waive:
4. This agreement shall not become part of the public record of the proceeding unless and until it is accepted by the Commission. If this agreement is accepted by the Commission, it, together with the draft complaint, will be placed on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days and information about it publicly released. The Commission thereafter may either withdraw its acceptance of this agreement and so notify proposed respondents, in which event it will take such action as it may consider appropriate, or issue and serve its complaint (in such form as the circumstances may require) and decision in disposition of the proceeding. 5. This agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission by proposed respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in the draft complaint, or that the facts as alleged in the draft complaint, other than the jurisdictional facts, are true. 6. This agreement contemplates that, if it is accepted by the Commission, and if such acceptance is not subsequently withdrawn by the Commission pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.34 of the Commission's Rules, the Commission may, without further notice to proposed respondents, (1) issue its complaint corresponding in form and substance with the attached draft complaint and its decision containing the following order in disposition of the proceeding, and (2) make information about it public. When so entered, the order shall have the same force and effect and may be altered, modified, or set aside in the same manner and within the same time provided by statute for other orders. The order shall become final upon service. Delivery of the complaint and the decision and order to proposed respondents' address as stated in this agreement by any means specified in Section 4.4(a) of the Commission's Rules shall constitute service. Proposed respondents waive any right they may have to any other manner of service. The complaint may be used in construing the terms of the order, and no agreement, understanding, representation, or interpretation not contained in the order or the agreement may be used to vary or contradict the terms of the order. 7. Proposed respondents have read the draft complaint and consent order. They understand that they may be liable for civil penalties in the amount provided by law and other appropriate relief for each violation of the order after it becomes final. ORDER DEFINITIONS For purposes of this Order, the following definitions shall apply: 1. Unless otherwise specified, "respondents" shall mean Snore Formula, Inc., a corporation, its successors and assigns and its officers; Dennis H. Harris, M.D., individually and as an officer of the corporation; Ronald E. General, individually and as an officer of the corporation; Gerald L. "Jerry" Harris, also doing business as KJ Enterprises, and each of the above's agents, representatives, and employees. 2. "Clearly and prominently" shall mean as follows:
The disclosure shall be in understandable
language and syntax. Nothing contrary to, inconsistent with, or in
mitigation of the disclosure shall be used in any advertisement or on any
label. 4. "Competent and reliable scientific evidence" shall mean tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence based on the expertise of professionals in the relevant area, that has been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by persons qualified to do so, using procedures generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable results. 5. "Distributor" shall mean any purchaser or other transferee of any product or service covered by this order who acquires such product or service from one or more respondent, with or without valuable consideration, and who sells, or who has sold, such product or service to other sellers or to consumers, including but not limited to individuals, retail stores, or catalog sellers. 6. "Food," drug," and "device," shall mean as "food," "drug," and "device" are defined in Section 15 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 55. 7. "Commerce" shall mean as defined in Section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 44. 8. "Endorsement" shall mean as defined in 16 C.F.R. 255.0(b). I. IT IS ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, including franchisees, licensees, or distributors, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula tablets or any other food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement, in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that:
unless at the time the representation is made, respondents possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence that substantiates the representation. Provided that, for any representation made by respondent Dennis H. Harris, M.D. as an expert endorser, respondent Dennis H. Harris, M.D. must possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence, and an actual exercise of his represented expertise in the form of an examination or testing of the product at least as extensive as an expert in that field would normally conduct in order to support the conclusions presented in the representation. II. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, including franchisees, licensees, or distributors, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any product or service that has not been shown by competent and reliable scientific evidence to be effective in the treatment of sleep apnea, in or affecting commerce, shall not represent, in any manner, expressly or by implication, that the product or service is effective in eliminating, preventing, or reducing snoring, unless they disclose, clearly and prominently, and in close proximity to the representation, that such product or service is not intended to treat sleep apnea; that the symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, frequent episodes of totally obstructed breathing during sleep, and excessive daytime sleepiness; that sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening condition; and that persons who have symptoms of sleep apnea should consult their physician or a specialist in sleep medicine. Provided, however, that for any television commercial or other video advertisement fifteen (15) minutes in length or longer or intended to fill a broadcasting or cablecasting time slot fifteen (15) minutes in length or longer, the disclosure shall be made within the first thirty (30) seconds of the advertisement and immediately before each presentation of ordering instructions for the product or service. Provided further, that, for the purposes of this provision, the presentation of a telephone number, e-mail address, or mailing address for listeners to contact for further information or to place an order for the product or service shall be deemed a presentation of ordering instructions so as to require the announcement of the disclosure provided herein. III. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, including franchisees, licensees, or distributors, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula tablets or any other food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement in or affecting commerce, shall not make any representation, in any manner, expressly or by implication, about the effect of such food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement on any disease, or about the effect of such food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement on the structure or function of the human body, or about any other health benefit, or the safety, of such product or service, unless, at the time the representations are made, respondents possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence, that substantiates the representation. Provided that, for any representation made by respondent Dennis H. Harris, M.D. as an expert endorser, respondent Dennis H. Harris, M.D. must possess and rely upon competent and reliable scientific evidence, and an actual exercise of his represented expertise in the form of an examination or testing of the product or service at least as extensive as an expert in that field would normally conduct in order to support the conclusions presented in the representation. IV. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents Snore Formula, Inc., a corporation, its successors and assigns and its officers; Dennis H. Harris, M.D., individually and as an officer of the corporation; Ronald E. General, individually and as an officer of the corporation, and each of the above's agents, representatives, and employees, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, including franchisees, licensees, or distributors, shall not provide to any person or entity means and instrumentalities that contain any claim about the benefits, performance, efficacy, or safety of any food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement, unless such claim is true, and substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence. For purposes of this Part, "means and instrumentalities" shall mean any information, including but not necessarily limited to any advertising, labeling, or promotional materials, for use by distributors in their marketing or sale of Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula tablets or any other food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement covered under this order, in or affecting commerce. V. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents, directly or through any corporation, subsidiary, division, or other device, including franchisees, licensees, or distributors, in connection with the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, promotion, offering for sale, sale, or distribution of any product or service in or affecting commerce, shall not misrepresent, in any manner (including but not limited to use of endorsements), expressly or by implication, the existence, contents, validity, results, conclusions, or interpretations of any test, study, or research. VI. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents Snore Formula, Inc., a corporation, its successors and assigns and its officers; Dennis H. Harris, M.D., individually and as an officer of the corporation; and Ronald E. General, individually and as an officer of the corporation, shall:
VII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents Snore Formula, Inc., a corporation, its successors and assigns and its officers; Dennis H. Harris, M.D., individually and as an officer of the corporation; and Ronald E. General, individually and as an officer of the corporation, shall:
VIII. Nothing in this order shall prohibit respondents from making any representation for any drug that is permitted in labeling for such drug under any tentative final or final standard promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration, or under any new medical device application approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Nor shall it prohibit respondents from making any representation for any product that is specifically permitted in labeling for such product by regulations promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration pursuant to the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. IX. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall, for five (5) years after the last date of dissemination of any representation covered by this order, maintain and upon request make available to the Federal Trade Commission for inspection and copying:
X. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall deliver a copy of this order to all current and future principals, officers, directors, and managers, and to all current and future employees, agents, and representatives having responsibilities with respect to the subject matter of this order, and shall secure from each such person a signed and dated statement acknowledging receipt of the order. Respondents shall deliver this order to current personnel within thirty (30) days after the date of service of this order, and to future personnel within thirty (30) days after the person assumes such position or responsibilities. XI. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent Snore Formula, Inc., and its successors and assigns shall notify the Commission at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations arising under this order, including, but not limited to, a dissolution, assignment, sale, merger, or other action that would result in the emergence of a successor corporation; the creation or dissolution of a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate that engages in any acts or practices subject to this order; the proposed filing of a bankruptcy petition; or a change in the corporate name or address. Provided, however, that, with respect to any proposed change in the corporation about which respondent learns less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such action is to take place, respondent shall notify the Commission as soon as is practicable after obtaining such knowledge. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. XII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents Dennis H. Harris, M.D.; Ronald E. General; and Gerald H. Harris, for a period of ten (10) years after the date of issuance of this order, notify the Commission of the discontinuance of their current business or employment, or of their affiliation with any new business or employment. The notice shall include respondent's new business address and telephone number and a description of the nature of the business or employment and his duties and responsibilities. All notices required by this Part shall be sent by certified mail to the Associate Director, Division of Enforcement, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. XIII. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondents shall, within sixty (60) days after service of this order, and at such other times as the Federal Trade Commission may require, file with the Commission a report, in writing, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which they have complied with this order. XIV. This order will terminate twenty (20) years from the date of its issuance, or twenty (20) years from the most recent date that the United States or the Federal Trade Commission files a complaint (with or without an accompanying consent decree) in federal court alleging any violation of the order, whichever comes later; provided, however, that the filing of such a complaint will not affect the duration of:
Provided, further, that if such complaint is dismissed or a federal court rules that the respondent did not violate any provision of the order, and the dismissal or ruling is either not appealed or upheld on appeal, then the order will terminate according to this Part as though the complaint had never been filed, except that the order will not terminate between the date such complaint is filed and the later of the deadline for appealing such dismissal or ruling and the date such dismissal or ruling is upheld on appeal. Signed this ________________ day of _______________, 2003. SNORE FORMULA, INC. By: RONALD GENERAL RONALD GENERAL, individually DENNIS H. HARRIS, M.D., individually GERALD L. HARRIS, individually JAMES R. PROCHNOW JONATHAN COWEN JOCK K. CHUNG APPROVED: JAMES REILLY DOLAN ELAINE D. KOLISH J. HOWARD BEALES, III ATTACHMENT A LETTER SENT TO
DISTRIBUTORS WITH WHOM [To Be Printed on Snore Formula, Inc. letterhead] [NAME AND ADDRESS OF RECIPIENT] [DATE] Dear [DISTRIBUTOR'S NAME]: This letter is to inform you that Snore Formula, Inc., recently settled a civil dispute with the Federal Trade Commission regarding its advertising for Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula tablets. Among other things, we have agreed to notify distributors of the settlement. As a result of its agreement with the FTC, Snore Formula, Inc., has consented to desist from, among other practices, making any claims about the effect of any food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement on any disease, or about the effect of such food, drug, device, service, or dietary supplement on the structure or function of the human body, or about any other health benefit, or the safety, of such product or service, that is not supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence. Competent and reliable scientific evidence is defined as tests, analyses, research, studies, or other evidence based on the expertise of professionals in the relevant area, that has been conducted and evaluated in an objective manner by persons qualified to do so, using procedures generally accepted in the profession to yield accurate and reliable results. Anecdotal evidence and consumer testimonials are not considered competent and reliable scientific evidence. According to the FTC complaint, we did not have a reasonable basis to claim that Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula tablets can prevent sleep apnea in adult and child users of the product who would otherwise develop sleep apnea; can treat the early stages of sleep apnea; or can eliminate, prevent, or significantly reduce snoring; or that scientific testing demonstrates that Dr. Harris' Original Snore Formula tablets reduce or eliminate snoring or the sound of snoring for 86% of users. As always, your responsibility as a distributor is to utilize only claims made directly from corporate communications or to have your advertising approved by the corporation before transmitting it. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in termination. This letter has been provided for your files. If you have any questions or if you want a copy of the FTC order, please contact [insert name and telephone number of respondents' contact]. ___________________________ |