Zicam Inventor Arrested for Importing Unapproved 'Bird Flu' Drug

The inventor of a popular cold medication was arrested last Thursday for illegally importing and distributing an unapproved herbal remedy he claimed prevents and treat avian influenza, or bird flu.

Charles B. Hensley, 57, inventor of the zinc-based Zicam cold remedy, was arrested at his Redondo Beach, Calif., home and charged with a 12-count indictment for unlawfully importing a product called Vira 38 and selling it to consumers nationwide.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, the indictment included four misdemeanor counts of introducing an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce, four misdemeanor counts of introduction of a misbranded drug into interstate commerce, and four felony counts of illegally importing an unapproved drug into the U.S.