Table 3 Examples of not supported claims

False statement

Tilur^®(Acemetacin)

As effective as the best, as safe as the

Leeb et al. Orthopädie 33: 1032–1041, 2004

Only comparator to acemetacin was diclofenac which is neither the most effective nor the safest non-steroidal antirheumatic drug

Exaggeration of efficacy

Relpax^® (Eletriptan)

Eliminates pain

Sandrini G et al. Neurology 59:1210–1217, 2002

At 24 hours only 24%(40 mg) and 29%(80 mg) of patients treated with eletriptan were pain-free

Unjustified generalization

Xefo^® (Lornoxicam)

Safe for heart and circulation

Tsurko V et al. Ter Arkh 74:63–6, 2002

Only blood pressure and heart rate measured. No hard endpoints evaluated

Absence of relation

Duphalac^® (Laktulose)

Fast and permanent effect on constipation

Ballongue et al. Scand J Gast 32 Suppl. 222: 41–44, 1997

Constipation not an outcome of the study.

Unjustified transfer to humans

Duspatalin^® (Mebeverin)

Effective in all cases of irritable bowel syndrome

Boisson J et al. Chir. Digest.16: 289–292, 1987

Animal study (pigs)