Greek Party Leader Probed for COVID-19 Balm Protection Ads

ATHENS – The head of the Greek Solution political party is being investigated for his TV ads in which he claims offering a balm that will protect people from the COVID-19 Coronavirus without providing any proof for its effectiveness.
A Supreme Court prosecutor ordered the probe of Kyriakos Velopoulos, a nationalist and long-term telemarketer who sprang into Parliament in the July 7, 2019 snap elections after being a ubiquitous face on TV selling a range of products, including one to cure baldness.

The investigation follows a complaint made by Attica Pharmacists Association (FSA) against his promotion for the balm marketed under the brand name Vyzantinon. In his commercial, he violently urges viewers to buy the product.
Appearing in the spot, Velopoulos advertises the antiseptic qualities of the balm, which is said to contain tea tree oil. He said rubbing the cream on your hands twice a day will protect you from the coronavirus.

The FSA said the ad puts the public’s health at risk by making unsubstantiated claims for the sake of profit. Meanwhile Greek TV is filled with infomercials offering all kinds of creams and oils to cure a range of ills.

Other pitches now offer face masks and other products to deal with the Coronavirus that are difficult to find in stores and pharmacies in an apparent attempt to cash in on fear of the spreading disease.