GSK executives sell drug compound as a nutritional supplement on the side
Jonathan Benson, staff writer
It all began when Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, a drug company that specialized in developing resveratrol drugs, merged with GSK about two years ago. A few Sirtris executives -- who have now become GSK executives -- launched a nonprofit called the Healthy Lifespan Institute (HLI), from which they recently began selling this specialized resveratrol formula as a dietary supplement.
The only problem is that the formula is allegedly identical to the one currently undergoing clinical trials for drug approval as a treatment for cancer, raising the question about whether or not it is legitimate for a drug company to be selling its compounds on the side as dietary supplements. GSK has since denied, however, that the formulas are the same.
Pharmaceutical drugs often come from natural compounds anyway, so it makes sense that certain base compounds can be sold as dietary supplements. But GSK, likely concerned that these supplements will compete with its future drugs, has instructed the executives involved to distance themselves from the nonprofit.
Earlier in the week, HLI was still selling a year's supply of the resveratrol supplements for $540 -- which the group claimed represents the actual cost of producing them -- but since that time, the "Buy Resveratrol" link on the site has been removed.
The New York Times has also reported that the three employees involved with the nonprofit will be resigning from their positions.
Sources for this story include:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes....
http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/...
August 20, 2010
www.naturalnews.com/029529_GSK_resveratrol.html