Most remedies ‘placebo’
September 15, 2015
Most of New Zealand’s and,
given the similarities, therefore
Australia’s pharmacy cold products
rely heavily on the placebo effect,
according to a study by clinical
pharmacologist and Associate
Professor Matthew Doogue,
from the University of Otago in
Christchurch.
The research, commissioned by
the Dominion Post, examined ten
of the most popular products sold
in supermarkets and pharmacies
to find that only four of the ten,
those containing paracetamol,
decongestants and antihistamines,
had significant therapeutic activity.
Those given the nod were Otrivin
adult spray, Lemsip Max Good
Night, Coldrex Cold and Flu Plus
capsules, and the pharmacy-only
Codral PE Day and Night tablets,
the ingredients of which had been
shown in clinical trials to improve
symptoms as well as reduce pain
and nasal congestion.
Doogue highlighted vitamin C
and echinacea, neither of which
“relieved cold symptoms when
compared to a placebo”.
Manufacturers of some of the
products disputed the professor’s
claims by citing research, but
Doogue said in his opinion the
outcomes of the studies were
“fairly weak” and did not provide a
body of respected evidence.
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