Besides being a violation of the AMA code of ethics, NJ law specifically prohibits licensed physicians from dispensing vitamin supplements for a fee. These laws are covered under statute, NJSA 45:9-22.11 and regulation, NJAC 13:35-7.5; NJAC 13:35-7.1 defines vitamin or food supplements as drugs. In addition, it is against NJ law for a physician to dispense vitamin supplements to anyone without first performing a history and physical examination on that person (NJAC 13.35-7.1A). Joel Fuhrman, MD, a NJ-licensed physician, is selling vitamin supplements at high prices on his website, and selling these supplements to people he has not performed history and physical examinations on. The NJ medical board must enforce the laws and stop Dr. Fuhrman from continuing these illegal activities.



