Herbal medicine has FDA okay

We refer to the letter of Doctors Charissa Mia Salud-Gnilo and Cecilia Maramba-Lazarte (Opinion, 8/3/13) about the advertisement for our product “Arthrite” (News, 7/8/13). In essence, the letter expressed the writers’ concern over the alleged “misleading and erroneous therapeutic claims” of “Arthrite,” in the process giving a glimpse of how a drug could be approved by the Food and Drug Administration for therapeutic claims. In ending the letter, the doctors “deplored the marketing tactics of some herbal supplements that prey on the vulnerability of the public for their own profit.” They further “urged the manufacturers, distributors and sellers of these supplements to be responsible with their statements” as well as the Advertising Board to “regulate the advertisements.”

We commend the apparent zeal of these doctors in acting as guardians of the consuming public as far as the use of herbal medicine is concerned. However, we feel strongly that there is a need to set the facts straight, lest their letter cause considerable damage to our product, “Arthrite,” more than it already has.

Let it be pointed out that the Arthrite alluded to in the letter as a food supplement with FDA Registry No. FR-72400 is an altogether different product—“Arthrite Plus”—which was registered on July 21, 2010, and consists mainly of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate.

On the other hand, the “Arthrite” which we advertised in the Inquirer last July 8 was registered as early as July 9, 2009, under FDA Registry No. THPR-18. It is composed of 14 highly standardized herbal extracts. More importantly, “Arthrite” has been approved by the FDA as a traditionally used herbal medicine with a therapeutic claim for joint pains. Needless to say, extensive studies and clinical trials back up the product’s claim to safety and efficacy.

The seeming confusion over these two products could have been altogether avoided had an exhaustive and circumspect examination of these products been conducted; after all, the information is readily available. Unfortunately, there appears to be an apparent haste in dismissing Arthrite as a pretentious run-of-the-mill herbal supplement, when in fact, it is not. At any rate, should there be any doubts about the product that the letter may have created, the same can easily be put to rest if inquiries will be made with the proper agency—that is, the FDA, which gave Arthrite the seal of approval.

We hope that this clarification has restored the public’s confidence in “Arthrite—a traditionally used herbal medicine.”

In parting, let it be stressed that the manufacturer of Arthrite takes great care to ensure that it comes up with alternative and innovative products. This is in furtherance of the company’s objective to provide the Filipino consuming public with readily available and effective herbal medicines.

—HAZEL ANNE P. LORENZO, Rotex Pharma Phils. Inc.