Marketplace

Licence to Deceive (42x18)

Air date: Mar 13, 2015

It's the kind of drugstore remedy that sounds great: Nighton says it relieves kids' fever, pain and inflammation, with no side effects and no dyes. It's even licensed by Health Canada as safe and effective, a powerful stamp of approval that gives parents extra peace of mind. And yet, there is absolutely no scientific proof Nighton works as it has no active ingredients. In fact, Nighton is really nothing. We know: We made it up. So how can a fake, unproven product get a very real government licence to make powerful claims? In LICENCE TO DECEIVE, a months-long investigation into drugstore remedies and their claims, we raise serious questions about the government agency that's supposed to keep you and your family safe and healthy. We uncover a troubling lack of oversight for some over-the-counter remedies and a lack of scientific proof behind some claims. We reveal how consumers can be misled with potentially dangerous consequences.