The makers of Cold-FX have sat for years on a study that suggested Canada’s most popular cold and flu remedy was no more effective than a placebo in treating symptoms of the viruses.
The study has just surfaced in a class-action lawsuit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the Quebec drug giant that now owns the product after buying Edmonton’s Afexa Life Sciences in 2011.
“If true, this kind of information should have been disclosed,” argues John Green, the Vancouver lawyer spearheading the class action. “If it had been disclosed, it would probably have been the end of Afexa Life Sciences.”
Companies like Afexa and Valeant are not legally obliged in this country to release any trial results. The Cold-FX report was filed with Health Canada, according to the court document, but the government is barred from making such proprietary information public.
But the lawsuit Green is handling alleges the company misled consumers until the last few years by suggesting Cold-FX could treat colds and flu after they start.
Packaging and other marketing, for instance, used to say the supplement could “stop cold and flu in their tracks,” “help provide effective relief” or bring “immediate relief” of symptoms.
more
Class-action lawsuit reveals company sat on 2004 study indicating Cold-FX does nothing to fight colds | National Post
The study has just surfaced in a class-action lawsuit against Valeant Pharmaceuticals, the Quebec drug giant that now owns the product after buying Edmonton’s Afexa Life Sciences in 2011.
“If true, this kind of information should have been disclosed,” argues John Green, the Vancouver lawyer spearheading the class action. “If it had been disclosed, it would probably have been the end of Afexa Life Sciences.”
Companies like Afexa and Valeant are not legally obliged in this country to release any trial results. The Cold-FX report was filed with Health Canada, according to the court document, but the government is barred from making such proprietary information public.
But the lawsuit Green is handling alleges the company misled consumers until the last few years by suggesting Cold-FX could treat colds and flu after they start.
Packaging and other marketing, for instance, used to say the supplement could “stop cold and flu in their tracks,” “help provide effective relief” or bring “immediate relief” of symptoms.
more
Class-action lawsuit reveals company sat on 2004 study indicating Cold-FX does nothing to fight colds | National Post
