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Can I say it?

Can I say “cures” in a clinic ad?

Usually no. 10 rules fired across 3 sample sentences, and the checker's own text explains why.

The short answer

Usually no. The checker blocks the bare phrase in this setting. The first rule it hits is CG-DIS-001. Its reason: Saying a product or service cures a condition makes it an unapproved drug claim.

Source the rule cites: FDCA 201(g)(1), 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1) (drug definition); 21 CFR 101.93(g) (disease claims); FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance

Checked as an ad promoting a clinical service. Context changes the result. The same samples hit these blocking rules: 5 in a drug or device ad, 6 in a supplement ad, 5 in a clinical service ad.

A clear result is not an all-clear. The checker flags wording for review and does not know your evidence, your state or your platform's review. Read the limitations.

Sample wording, run through the checker

These are sentences written to contain the phrase, not real claims. Each ran through the real engine and the shipped rule-set when this site was built.

Sample 1 · actual checker output9 rules fired

Our stem cell shot cures arthritis.

  • BlockingCG-DIS-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures”
  • BlockingCG-RFA-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures arthritis”
  • BlockingCG-TRA-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures arthritis”
  • BlockingCG-TRI-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures arthritis”
  • BlockingCG-TRK-004Disease claims. Matched: “cures arthritis”
  • WarningCG-DIS-016Disease claims. Matched: “Our stem cell shot cures arthritis.”
  • WarningCG-DIS-018Disease claims. Matched: “stem cell shot cures arthritis”
  • WarningCG-PLT-013Platform policy. Matched: “cures arthritis”
  • WarningCG-PLT-035Platform policy. Matched: “cures arthritis”
Sample 2 · actual checker output8 rules fired

This protocol cures diabetes naturally.

  • BlockingCG-DIS-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures”
  • BlockingCG-RFA-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures diabetes”
  • BlockingCG-TRA-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures diabetes”
  • BlockingCG-TRI-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures diabetes”
  • BlockingCG-TRK-004Disease claims. Matched: “cures diabetes”
  • WarningCG-DIS-016Disease claims. Matched: “This protocol cures diabetes naturally.”
  • WarningCG-PLT-013Platform policy. Matched: “cures diabetes”
  • WarningCG-PLT-035Platform policy. Matched: “cures diabetes”
Sample 3 · actual checker output3 rules fired

Our program cures back pain for good.

  • BlockingCG-DIS-001Disease claims. Matched: “cures”
  • WarningCG-DIS-016Disease claims. Matched: “Our program cures back pain for good.”
  • WarningCG-TRE-003Efficacy and proof. Matched: “cures back pain for good”

What to say instead

This version came back with no rule fired:

Our clinic offers joint care. Book a visit to talk through your options.

Actual checker output: no rule fired. It still has to be true for your business.

What the rules themselves suggest:

  • CG-DIS-001 Describe what the service does (for example "supports", "helps manage") and name only outcomes you can substantiate.
  • CG-RFA-001 Remove the disease claim. Describe only a lawful structure or function benefit and keep the disclaimer.
  • CG-TRA-001 Remove the disease and cure claim. Describe what the service actually does, cite substantiation for any outcome, and never promise a condition will go away.

The rules behind this answer

Reason, source and citation for each rule that fired, in the checker's own words. Blocking rules come first.

  1. CG-DIS-001 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text

    Saying a product or service cures a condition makes it an unapproved drug claim.

    Source: FDCA 201(g)(1), 21 U.S.C. 321(g)(1) (drug definition); 21 CFR 101.93(g) (disease claims); FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance

    Safer wording: Describe what the service does (for example "supports", "helps manage") and name only outcomes you can substantiate.

    21 CFR 101.93(g), 21 U.S.C. 321 · Needs counsel review

  2. CG-RFA-001 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text

    Saying a product cures, treats, prevents, relieves or fights a named disease or condition makes it an unapproved drug claim, and the FDA cites this wording in warning letters.

    Source: FDCA 201(g)(1); 21 CFR 101.93(g); FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance

    Safer wording: Remove the disease claim. Describe only a lawful structure or function benefit and keep the disclaimer.

    21 CFR 101.93(g) · Needs counsel review

  3. CG-TRA-001 · Blocks approval

    Saying a product or service cures, reverses, clears or removes a named disease, or that a condition goes away or vanishes, is an unapproved drug and treatment claim that is not backed by evidence.

    Source: FDCA 201(g)(1) and 201(h); FTC Act section 5, deceptive health claims; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (2022)

    Safer wording: Remove the disease and cure claim. Describe what the service actually does, cite substantiation for any outcome, and never promise a condition will go away.

    See source text · Needs counsel review

  4. CG-TRI-001 · Blocks approval

    Saying a supplement, device or IV service kills, clears, reverses or cures a serious disease is an unapproved disease treatment claim.

    Source: FDCA section 201(g) and 403(r)(6) (disease claims on dietary supplements); FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance (2022); FTC Act section 5

    Safer wording: Remove disease names paired with cure, clear, kill or reverse. Describe only lawful structure or function support and send people with a diagnosis to their clinician.

    See source text · Needs counsel review

  5. CG-TRK-004 · Blocks approval

    Claiming a supplement, oil, drip or non-clinical service treats, reverses or regenerates serious disease is an unapproved drug claim.

    Source: FDCA 21 USC 321(g)(1) and 352(f); FDA warning letters on unapproved disease claims; FTC Act section 5

    Safer wording: Remove disease treatment or reversal claims. Describe general wellness support only, and refer serious conditions to a licensed clinician.

    See source text · Needs counsel review

  6. CG-DIS-016 · Blocks approval · Citation checked against stored text

    A sentence that names a disease or condition and says it was cured, reversed, cleared, beaten, fixed or removed is a disease claim, however it is worded. For a product it makes the product an unapproved drug. For a service it needs substantiation and a statement of typical results.

    Source: FDCA 201(g)(1); 21 CFR 101.93(g); FTC Act section 5; FTC Health Products Compliance Guidance

    Safer wording: Describe what the product contains or what the service involves and leave the disease outcome out. If a clinician treats the condition, say who, and that results vary by patient.

    21 CFR 101.93(g) · Needs counsel review

4 more rules fired on the samples. Open the checker to see all of them on your own copy.

Background: Disease claim in the glossary.

Questions

Which rule covers illness outcome claims?

Rule CG-DIS-001. It cites 21 CFR 101.93(g), 21 U.S.C. 321. The rule's reason: Saying a product or service cures a condition makes it an unapproved drug claim.

What should I write instead?

The rule's own suggestion for rule CG-DIS-001: Describe what the service does (for example "supports", "helps manage") and name only outcomes you can substantiate.

Does the answer change for a drug, a supplement or a service?

Context changes the result. The same samples hit these blocking rules: 5 in a drug or device ad, 6 in a supplement ad, 5 in a clinical service ad. Pick the type that matches what you promote when you run the checker.

Next step

Check your own wording

Paste your copy into the free checker. Every flag names its rule and its source.

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