Email a Friend
Print ArticleProstate Cancer Health Center
Group Takes Aim at Prostate Cancer Claims
June 18, 2009 -- A consumers group complained to regulators and threatened a lawsuit Thursday over what it calls a drug company’s misleading claims that two of its multivitamins reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is taking aim at One A Day Men’s 50+ Advantage and Men’s One A Day Men’s Health Formula multivitamins, both of which contain selenium. The group says widespread ads for the products claiming selenium helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer are false and not supported by major scientific studies.
Early studies suggested selenium, an antioxidant, could have some protective effect against cancer. But a major government-sponsored trial published in January, called SELECT (The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial), concluded that selenium “did not prevent prostate cancer” in a population of healthy men.
But the group complained that Bayer Healthcare LLC, which makes both products, continues to claim on packaging and in ads that they help reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
“A complete multivitamin plus selenium, which emerging research suggests may reduce the risk of prostate cancer,” Bayer’s ads state, according to the CSPI’s complaint to the Federal Trade Commission.
“We urge the Federal Trade Commission to take swift and strong action to get these deceptive Bayer ads off television, radio, and Internet and out of newspapers and magazines or wherever else they may be displayed,” states the CSPI’s complaint to the FTC.
The FTC in 2007 ordered Bayer to stop making unproven health claims for a One A Day weight loss product and told the company not to make any unsubstantiated claims for any vitamins in the One A Day product line.
In a statement, Bayer says “We are aware of CSPI's complaint and are in the process of reviewing their allegations.”
“In the meantime, we stand behind all claims made in support of our products, including One A Day multivitamins. The claims made in support of selenium are based on an FDA-approved qualified health claim,” reads the statement, provided to WebMD.
The CSPI also threatened to sue Bayer if the company does not change its advertising for the One A Day multivitamins.
"Bayer is thumbing its nose at the Food and Drug Administration, the FTC, and any number of state consumer protection laws," CSPI Litigation Director Steve Gardner says.
"FTC can sometimes take years. Because these ads are so bad we've threatened to sue Bayer within 30 days if they don't stop running them," David Schardt, CSPI senior nutritionist, tells WebMD.
The CSPI also notes that prostate cancer experts from across the U.S. have written to the FTC in support of the CSPI complaint against Bayer.
del.icio.us
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Sheldon Marks, MD, explains nearly everything you need to know about an enlarged prostate but were afraid to ask.
