Lawmakers Ask Wyeth To Substantiate Centrum Cardio Cholesterol Claims

The House Energy and Commerce Committee questions the cholesterol-lowering claims Wyeth makes for its Centrum Cardio multivitamin.

Committee Chairman Rep. John Dingell and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak asked Wyeth in a Sept. 12 letter to substantiate claims for the product the firm's Consumer Healthcare division launched in November 2007.

The Michigan Democrats say the query is part of the committee's ongoing investigation of direct-to-consumer advertising for pharmaceutical products.

Dingell and Stupak explain their concern stems from statements that may be misleading to consumers. "Patients with high cholesterol may erroneously substitute Centrum Cardio for a treatment plan prescribed by their physician," they say.

The letter to Wyeth President and CEO Bernard Poussot takes issue with a television ad claiming the product is "the only complete multivitamin that can lower cholesterol."

Dingell and Stupak also note Wyeth's Web site implies users will be able to lower their cholesterol levels within a month with "a natural ingredient derived from soybeans that blocks cholesterol absorption & significantly lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol."

The letter also raises concerns about Wyeth's claim the product is the "first and only complete multivitamin that lowers cholesterol" (¹ (Also see "New Products In Brief" - Pink Sheet, 26 Nov, 2007.), p. 5).

The legislators ask Wyeth to provide substantiation for those claims and for a claim that users may have lower heart disease risk. They also ask for all DTC advertisements for the product, including scripts and storyboards for broadcast.

Dingell and Stupak ask Wyeth to provide the information requested within two weeks of receiving the letter.

Wyeth could not be reached for comment.

- Katie Stevenson ([email protected])