Note: This advice is given by the CAP Executive about non-broadcast advertising. It does not constitute legal advice. It does not bind CAP, CAP advisory panels or the Advertising Standards Authority.
CAP’s long standing position is that marketers should not claim that products containing Glucosamine can help maintain healthy joints, aid joint mobility or treat arthritis and/or osteoarthritis. However CAP does accept the following claim:
• Glucosamine occurs naturally in the body where it plays a role in the smooth working of the joints and helps maintain connective tissues
In Spring 2004, CAP reviewed its position to address a substantial amount of new evidence that apparently supported claims that glucosamine could offer pain relief. The three main trials submitted were Reginster et al “Long term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression: a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial”, McAlindon et al “Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Treatment of Osteoarthritis – A Systematic Quality Assessment and Meta-analysis” and Richy et al “Structural and Symptomatic Efficacy of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Knee Osteoarthritis”.
CAP sought the advice of an expert, who advised that, referring to arthritis or relief of arthritis, is not acceptable but he believed the findings of trials conducted on sufferers of arthritis could be extrapolated and that glucosamine could offer relief for minor aches and pains and joint soreness. But the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advised that those claims are medicinal and products making them would need a marketing authorisation. For information about obtaining a marketing authorisation, contact the MHRA by phoning 020 7084 2000 or by writing to MHRA, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ.
CAP considered whether consumption of glucosamine or glucosamine and chondroitin products could provide a cumulative future beneficial effect or prevent future injuries or joint degeneration. CAP’s expert advised that, as yet no trials have been conducted that support the long-term use of glucosamine and chondroitin as a preventative measure. Therefore, claims such as “Injury Prevention? – Try our new glucosamine product” or “Keep your joints healthy” should not be used.
Finally, CAP considered whether the claim “Helps maintain healthy joints” would be acceptable. CAP’s expert advised that because the available evidence related to relief of pain only in arthritis sufferers, the claim was not supported. Furthermore, the general public, to whom a claim of that nature is often made, is unlikely to have a deficiency the same as that experienced by sufferers of a serious medical condition.
See entry on ‘Medicinal Claims’.
Last modified : 06 August 2010