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Public Citizen / Health Research Group / Worst Pills, Best Pills Newsletter
Grade: F
In 2003, the Ralph Nader-founded public interest group Public Citizen made it clear that it has become a public menace for thyroid patients. In May of 2003, the group’s health newsletter, Worst Pills, Best Pills, issued a “Do Not Use” warning for Armour Thyroid, a natural prescription thyroid drug that has been on the market for more than 100 years. Their article urged practitioners and patients not to use the drug, claiming “...natural thyroid appears to have become a niche market for unscrupulous complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners... Some of these CAM practitioners are also promoting natural thyroid as part of their weight loss programs.”
Despite numerous requests directed to Sidney Wolfe, MD, the directory of Public Citizen’s Health Research Group, and editor of Worst Pills, Best Pills, as well as other organizational representatives, the group has failed to provide any facts or scientific support for their accusations regarding Armour Thyroid, which is used by thousands of reputable practitioners, including MDs. At one point, Public Citizen was even sending out official letters to concerned readers, defending their position, and erroneously claiming that Armour Thyroid was an over-the-counter “herbal supplement” being recommended by naturopaths. A formerly reputable group has turned to disseminating error-filled, poorly researched information, and carelessly called for the removal of a safe, inexpensive, and effective drug – one that is prescribed more than two million times a year. It’s no surprise why they’ve earned a failing grade of F in the Thyroid Disease Report Card.
For more information, see the directory of articles on this controversy
