DTB questions dual action claim for strontium ranelate
Claims for a dual action of strontium ranelate (Protelos; Servier) are not supported by current published evidence, this month's Drug
and Therapeutics Bulletin argues (2006;44:29).
“In our view there is no convincing clinical evidence to support
promotional claims that the drug simultaneously stimulates bone formation
and reduces
bone resorption,” the authors say. “Such claims should, therefore,
be treated with scepticism and should not sway decisions on whether or
not to use the drug.”
The authors of the review argue that bone biopsies provide a more definitive
assessment of bone formation and resorption than the changes in biochemical
markers seen in clinical trials with strontium ranelate. Such biopsies
have not, they say, shown that strontium ranelate stimulates bone formation. “On
current published evidence, we can see no compelling reason for considering
strontium ranelate as a potential treatment option, except for patients
who cannot tolerate any bisphosphonate,” they conclude.
In a statement, Eric Falcand, chief executive of Servier UK, commented: “The
sum of our pre-clinical and clinical data all consistently support the
dual mode of action of Protelos. This is reinforced by a number of independent
peer-reviewed publications.”
DTB also considers the diagnosis and treatment of primary vitamin D deficiency
in adults. It concludes that routine preventive supplementation is not
supported by evidence. |
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Pharmaceutical Journal
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