Common medicines contain animal products

Bonkai · Feb 28, 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17182625

Many tablets and liquid medicines use gelatin, derived from animal bones or skin.

A survey in the Postgraduate Medical Journal shows a quarter of patients are unknowingly prescribed drugs containing gelatin contrary to their beliefs.

The report authors say clearer drug labelling is needed.

A spokesman for the ABPI, which represents the pharmaceutical industry in the UK, said that European Union legislation required the disclosure of all ingredients in the leaflet accompanying the drugs.

He added: "Patients are able to check if a product contains a material which may cause them concern. If patients are unsure if an ingredient is derived from animals they can seek the advice of their pharmacist or contact the company manufacturing the product.

"There is a general trend for manufacturers to move away from the use of animal derivatives in medicines but there remain occasions where the nature of the product, or quality or safety issues, preclude the effective use of non-animal-derived ingredients."

There are many ingredients in tablets, capsules and other medicines which, while usually not part of the active treatment, help hold it together or thicken liquids.

Gelatin is commonly used, particularly in generic medicines - versions of a drug mass-produced more cheaply once the initial patent has expired.

The Manchester Royal Infirmary researchers, led by a consultant urologist, surveyed 500 patients, and found that approximately 40% in their inner-city catchment said they preferred not to consume animal products in their day-to-day lives, either because they were vegetarians, or for other cultural and religious reasons.

Of the 200 following a restricted diet in this way, 49 were found to be already taking drugs which contained gelatin, despite their wishes.

While many of the 200 said they would be prepared to take a drug containing animal products if there was no alternative, the report authors said that more effort should be made to help them, by both doctors and pharmacists.

They wrote: "In particular, we would recommend that every doctor needs to be aware that it is not just the active drug being dispensed but a whole group of other agents which may have relevance to an individual patient's compliance with treatment when oral treatments are prescribed."

They suggested that drug companies could adopt an "ingredients" list similar to that found on food packaging, or even use recognised symbols such as those promoted by the Vegetarian Society.

In addition, they said that plenty of vegetarian alternatives to gelatin were available and should be considered by manufacturers when formulating their products.

Liz O'Neill, spokesman for The Vegetarian Society, said that it frequently received calls from patients concerned about animal products in their medication.

She said that current labelling made it hard for them to make an informed choice.

"Some vegetarians will be shocked to learn about the widespread use of animal ingredients in medicines.

"This is a complex area with no overnight solutions, but the Vegetarian Society believes that everyone has a right to know what they are consuming."
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Fingermouse · Feb 29, 2012

It's medicine. We need it to be healthy.

Bonkai · Feb 29, 2012

Oh so animals are only ok to consume if they're in medicine? J/k just wondering if vegetarians who don't eat meat for ethical reason find this as a problem or merely swipe it under the ethical rug. We all want to live after all.

Willy_Wonka_27 · Feb 29, 2012

Fingermouse said:

It's medicine. We need it to be healthy.
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Somewhat... but no medicine needs to contain gelatin.

Duck · Feb 29, 2012

well, they are called geltabs..

Fingermouse · Mar 1, 2012

Willy_Wonka_27 said:

Somewhat... but no medicine needs to contain gelatin.
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It's not absolutely necessary, but if I've got an illness and the only medicine available contains animal products, I'm going to take the medicine. It's not sensible for consumers to just boycott their own medication. If medications contain gelatine, that's out of the patient's hands and needs to be dealt with by pharmaceutical companies.

drumminmama · Mar 4, 2012

Bonkaii, I think what you don't get about vegans, in particular, is that it is about eliminating everything practical.
Animal products are used in tyre/tire manufacture, so there goes a bike!

The point is to be aware and use alternatives where possible, and if you can't, do the least harm.

For instance, skip the gelcaps and find a tablet without gelatin, or in a v-cap, which is plant cellulose, or use a different remedy.

As a vegetarian, I don't eat gelatin or animal rennet.
I am careful about what yogurt I buy, and I have started making my own.

But, I had a medication that carried a shellfish allergy warning.
I needed the medication as part of a cancer treatment. It was not optional.

But NyQuil gelcaps? Lots of options from herbal to merely going for the liquid.

RainyDayHype · Mar 6, 2012

It does make me feel un-easy when I read a medicine label in the store and I see it contains gelatin. I eat vegan and gelatin has always been controversial to me. While it's completely disgusting, it's also a byproduct. So as long as people are going to continue to kill and consume pigs and cows then gelatin will be made. It's not like an animal is slaughtered just for gelatin. I would like to avoid it all together though. I think carrageenan (from seaweed) is a good replacement for gelatin. Actually, I just try to avoid any type of medicine all together...I hate taking any type of meds, including things like tylenol.

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