Lloyds says think before buying vitamins
A pharmacy chain is behind a national television advertising campaign to encourage people to think twice before taking vitamin supplements.
The advertisement, which was broadcast for the first time last week,
features a woman throwing vitamin products into a shopping trolley with
the voice-over warning she could be doing herself more harm than good.
The message to viewers endorses the advice published last year by the
Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM), at the Food
Standards Agency,
which warned that vitamin and mineral supplements can be harmful if doses
are too high.
Lloydspharmacy’s superintendent pharmacist, Andy Murdock, explained
that this report had stimulated the company to take action.
“
We strongly believe that promotions and sales of vitamins encourage consumers
to purchase often unnecessary supplements that may, as the FSA report
confirms, be doing more harm than good,” Mr Murdock said.
The advertisement has been backed up by an information campaign through
Lloyds-pharmacy’s 1,300 UK stores with a booklet giving advice
on supplements, nutrition and lifestyle.
Mr Murdock was hopeful that the advertising campaign and information
leaflets would help reduce confusion and encourage patients to take appropriate
supplements or none at all. |
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