Balance needed in news reporting of Medsafe advisory about Arthrem
20 February 2018
The makers of the
Arthrem joint support product are calling for balanced news reporting around
the recent Medsafe advisory relating to Arthrem's active ingredient, Artemisia annua.
Although some news media have provided balanced
information, others have chosen to use sensationalised headlines and one-sided
reporting that suggest consumers are at far greater risk than they actually
are.
Rene de Wit, Promisia's
Chief Executive says: "To put things into context, Medsafe received 14 reports of
liver toxicity associated with the use of Arthrem, from February 2016 up until
31 December 2017. Hundreds of thousands of bottles of Arthrem have been sold over the
past five years and the reported adverse liver reactions constitute less than
0.007% of all bottles sold (i.e. under 1 in 14,000) – a level the World Health
Organization's adverse reactions guidelines consider to be "very rare".
All the affected people stopped taking Arthrem and at
the time of reporting most had already recovered or were improving.
Mr de Wit says
that when taken as directed, Arthrem is well-tolerated and effective.
"Safety is –
and has always been - our top priority. This
is borne out by Arthrem being the world's only clinically studied and safety
trialled Artemisia annua joint
support product."
Both trials were
conducted by Otago University, and published in peer-reviewed journals (Clinical Rheumatology and New Zealand Medical Journal). The clinical study informed the product
formulation and dosage advice.
He says that although
he has no issue with Medsafe issuing advisories, Artemisia annua is also used in
several other joint support brands sold in New Zealand.
"We believe that the consumer would be better
served by advisories about ingredients themselves rather than just focusing on
one product with that ingredient."
He notes that Arthrem, rather than a competitor brand,
has come to Medsafe's attention simply because it has been on the market longer
and has a far larger market share.
"A large volume of any product sold – even every
day foods such as fruit and vegetables – will always bring with it a chance
that someone will have a reaction to it.
In Arthrem's case, despite what some media would have one believe, it is
very rare for users to have an adverse liver reaction."
Consumers can be
assured that it is reasonable to keep taking Arthrem provided the person is
not suffering adverse effects or has any contraindicated condition/s. However, Arthrem
is not suitable for:
·
People who have elevated liver
enzymes, liver disease or liver cancer
·
Anyone who is pregnant,
planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding
·
People who are taking antiretroviral
drugs for HIV
·
Anyone who is taking drugs that
are known to prolong QT interval
·
Children
It is important
that Arthrem is taken strictly as directed. Anyone experiencing any adverse
reactions should stop taking it immediately and consult with their doctor. Adverse reactions may include (but are not
limited to):
·
nausea (feeling sick)
·
stomach pain
·
pale stools (poos)
·
dark urine
·
itching all-over
·
the whites of the eyes have turned yellow
or the skin is yellow (jaundice)
Anyone with
questions or concerns can call Arthrem's toll-free 24 x 7 helpline (0800 995
034).
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Rene de Wit
Chief Executive Officer
Promisia Limited
Office +6444995563
Mobile +6421571000
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.arthrem.co.nz