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Pfizer Allays Concern about Folic Acid Supplement and Travel Sickness Medicine

Friday May 30, 2003

Pfizer Australia, the country’s leading pharmaceutical and consumer health care company, has moved to allay potential concerns about two of its medicines NOT involved in the Pan Pharmaceuticals recall.

Pfizer Australia says NO products made or marketed by it and its new affiliate company, Pharmacia Australia, are affected. Pan Pharmaceuticals is not a supplier of either company.

Consumer Health Care Medical Director Dr Mark Bowden said some media coverage, however, may have left some consumers confused about the status of Fefol®, the leading sustained release folic acid (folate) and iron supplement* used extensively during pregnancy and prior to conception.

“There is also anecdotal evidence that people may be mistakenly concerned about a motion sickness medicine Dramamine® (dimenhydrinate),” Dr Bowden said.

Dr Bowden said Fefol, which is sold over the counter in pharmacies, is not involved in the recall and should not have been depicted in TV coverage.

“Dramamine is another over-the-counter product and is marketed by our affiliate company Pharmacia.

”It has absolutely no connection to Pan’s withdrawn travel sickness drug, Travacalm.”

Dr Bowden said users of medicines and consumer products under the Pfizer Australia or Pharmacia Australia banners could be confident they had been produced to the strictest standards.

Pfizer Australia is the nation’s leading research-based health care company. It discovers, develops, manufactures and markets innovative medical treatments for both humans and animals. . Pfizer will this year invest around $US5 billion in global research and development.

* IMS MAT March 2003