Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 13 June 2006
Dunne warns against dodgy health advice
Associate Health Minister and Ohariu-Belmont MP, Peter Dunne, is warning his constituents and other New Zealanders to
beware of an email now circulating, which claims commonly-used cough and cold medicines have been withdrawn because they
contain a dangerous ingredient.
The email claims medicines such as Dimetapp and Robitussin contain phenylpropanolamine, allegedly linked to hemorrhagic
strokes.
Mr Dunne said today "I have been assured by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, the makers of those two medicines, that the email
is incorrect and misleading.
"With the cold and flu season now on us, it is important that New Zealanders, who buy about 362, 000 packs of Dimetapp
and Robitussin every year, act on correct information.
"Wyeth tells me the two medicines do not contain phenylpropanolamine, indeed there are no products containing it legally
available for sale in New Zealand as over-the-counter cough and cold products," said Mr Dunne.
ENDS