BLACKMORES says a story about complementary medicines broadcast last night on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program was "not accurate, and was unnecessarily alarmist".
The program highlighted the case of a particular patient, with allegations she had experienced liver damage linked to a Blackmores product containing valerian.
The patient's doctor apparently claimed valerian was the "culprit," and Blackmores told PD it had repeatedly asked both 60 Minutes and the doctor for details of the patient's allergic adverse reaction.
Information sought including when the reaction started, the dates she was taking the product, her age and medical history, and other medicines consumed during the 18-month period she is claimed to have taken the valerian.
"We have not received any of the above critical information," Blackmores said, adding "we take information related to consumer adverse reactions extremely seriously.
"The 60 Minutes case had not been reported to Blackmores by the consulting doctor, the patient, nor the hospital," the company said, adding that since being notified by the show, it had reported the case to the TGA "out of abundant caution, based on the very limited information available".
Blackmores noted it had been selling products containing valerian since the 1950s, and since the current product range was registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration 13 years ago almost 80 million doses had been consumed by Australians, with zero serious adverse reactions.
"The media has a responsibility to report accurately, fairly and with balance in medical matters...that was not the case on Sunday night."
MEANWHILE Blackmores CEO Richard Henfrey wrote to Darren Wick, the Nine Network's National Director of News & Current affairs two weeks ago, expressing his serious concern about the story.
He noted the company's repeated unsuccessful attempts to gain more information so it could thoroughly look into the matter.
"We are very keen to investigate this further because in the event that this was indeed a direct response to one of our products, we need to be able to take appropriate action," Henfrey wrote, saying the company had not been informed of any adverse reactions since its current valerian product range was registered with the TGA.
"Responsible and accurate reporting is important to ensure that the large number of Australian consumers using complementary medicines are not unnecessarily scared and concerned for their own health," he added.
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