It was almost an inevitability.
Unlicensed medicine seller Intramed Ltd (sometimes registered in Switzerland, sometimes in Guernsey sometimes Colchester, UK) has, yet again, been pulled up by the Advertising Standards Authority for making silly claims about its untested, unlicensed, proof-free, 'natural' arthritis reliever and indeed reverser.
Artrosilium-associated quackery has been one of the biggest draws to this site from Google, so there is no shortage of people looking for it - I've blogged it a few times before.
Of course, if you're selling evidence-free quack medicines, there is no need to limit it to one ailment - the most recent piece of marketing nonsense to come from Intramed insisted that Artrosilium was also taken for:
Pains, inflammations, skin problems, burns, sunburns, sinus, nasal congestion, prostate, rashes, canker sores, restore your nails' youthful appearance and to stop hair loss.
Tosh.
Once again (and for the 5th time in 12 months) Intramed were slapped by the ASA. Intramed said they wouldn't do it again, honest guv.
Seeing as I'm in the mood for writing complaining letters, (and given the ASA can't actually *do* anything about Intramed) I've decided to complain to the Guernsey Authorities and see what happens - possibly not much, but there's something in my head saying that this is not 'right' - a company should not be allowed to continually flout the advertising guidelines regarding a 'medicinal' product, with the sole purpose of giving lots of arthrites false hope and making lots of money at their expense.
I'll keep you posted, but I'll wager ten shiny new pence that this won't be the last time the ASA and Intramed will discuss their adverts in 2009.
UPDATE: They lasted 2 days before yet another ASA ruling against them. Now someone owes me 10p.
BPSDB
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7 comments:
Well done Dr* T. I agree that the ASA is as toothless as...well...OfQuack, but every little helps.
Even if it does no more than give you a brief smile, complaining about quacks to the ASA is very easy. I've had a run of about 10 in the last few weeks - from an ayurveda clinic, a colonic irrigation clinic, a couple of psychics, an anti-limescale product and a few others. All you need is some common sense and a few minutes to fill their online form in.
So far, two are going to an adjudication and the results will be published on their website. I'll also put them on my website at www.thinkhumanism.com. I also intend to write a brief guide on how to complain for anyone who wants to take up this exciting pastime!
In the Netherlands they stopped (temporarily, I am sure) after a TV exposure. But the introduced Flexilium GC+ Joint Cream (www.flexilium.co.uk/index.php?pas=NHWW16). They also sell Vision Clear www.clear-vision.co.uk)
Marie P. Prins
Oost-Souburg
Netherlands
I've just received mail shot regards to IntraMed, from St Lukes House, London Road, Copford. CO6 1BJ.
tel. 08712 240733. Not happy receiving items like this when you seriously suffring. can you do to stop this bogus people.
Regards
D.T.
Hi D.T.,
Can you forward me the email?
thinkingisdangerousblog AT googlemail DOT com
Thanks
T
Anonymous said...
I've just received mail shot regards to IntraMed, from St Lukes House, London Road, Copford. CO6 1BJ.
tel. 08712 240733. Not happy receiving items like this when you seriously suffring. can you do to stop this bogus people.
Regards
D.T.
Dr* T said...
Hi D.T.,
Can you forward me the email?
thinkingisdangerousblog AT googlemail DOT com
Thanks
I would like to point out that D.T. did say 'Mail shot', not email.
I too have received the same mail shot twice, (last time - this mornimg).
I completely agree with D.T. - it is junk mail that SHOULD be stopped, how to stop it is another question.
J.R.
Indeed - my mistake. Nonetheless I have receivedthe full mail, scanned in, which I sent off to the ASA with this result:
INTRAMED LTD/ ARTROSILIUM
Thank you for contacting the Advertising Standards Authority.
As you are aware, we’ve previously advised against this type of advertising and we’ve received a few other complaints this week alerting us to the fact that the mailing is still being distributed. We’re concerned to see that the advertisers are continue to use this ad, and we’ve therefore passed the case to our Compliance team, which will follow it up.
The team doesn’t report to complainants or publish the result of its investigations but rest assured they will tackle the problem. There can be serious consequences for advertisers who don’t comply. Depending on the kind of advertising:
· publishers can refuse to run their ads;
· commercial benefits (such as Royal Mail bulk mailing discounts) can be removed;
· the advertiser can be referred to the Office of Fair Trading for misleading ads;
I’d like to thank you for taking the trouble to raise your concerns with us, and for bring this matter to our attention.
I'll keep pushing.
After waiting 6 weeks for a delivery of "Brain and Boost " formula, and being assured last week that it has been dispatched from Guersey that very day (Dec. 1st ) i rang this morning to be told it had been dispatched from SINGAPORE on the 23rd of November!!
I have asked for a refund, and i wont wait with bated breath!!!
J.B.Elwell (aged 74 )
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