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For Immediate Release
Warning: New Attempt To Mislead
Consumers
May 21, 1998
Conflict of Interest Concerns Raised by Aspirin Group
Dr. Thomas E. Bryant, president of the Aspirin Foundation of America, today described as
"outrageous" statements made at a recent medical conference that nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are a "public health
hazard." He said the statements, made at a conference sponsored in part by the American
Gastroenterological Association, and widely publicized, were apparently an attempt to scare
consumers away from safe, effective and affordable over-the-counter analgesics in favor of
competing pain relievers that would be considerably more costly to consumers.
The statements were allegedly based on an analysis of a telephone survey sponsored by the
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and G.D. Searle & Co., the manufacturer of
a new pain reliever awaiting Food and Drug Administration approval.
"The survey misleads consumers because it is focused on a small subset of the population
that is taking high doses of NSAIDs over a long period of time," noted Dr. Bryant. "These
people are clearly not your average consumers. It is ludicrous to use this survey to make the
false claim that millions of Americans are at significant risk for complications by taking OTC
NSAID products.
"When used as directed, aspirin is among the safest and most recommended medications
for the treatment of a wide range of ailments, from the pain and inflammation associated with
arthritis to the relief of headaches," he said. "Further, this scare campaign will needlessly
worry patients on an aspirin regimen for its life-saving cardiovascular benefits.
"I am not surprised that Searle would attempt to create doubts about safe, proven and
significantly lower-cost products such as aspirin. I am surprised, however, that Searle fails
to mention its own prescription analgesic Daypro®, which carries a warning in its labeling
about "serious gastrointestinal toxicity."
The Aspirin Foundation of America was established in 1981 to facilitate and encourage an
understanding of the potential health benefits of aspirin based on sound data and good
science.
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Contact:
Caroline Perrin
807 National Press Building, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-432-3247 Fax: 202/737-8406
info@aspirin.org
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