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24 novembre 2008
A recent insert on osteoporosis published in various newspapers across
Quebec included the vinegar test to determine whether or not a calcium supplement would dissolve in vinegar,
within 30 minutes. That is a frequently asked question by patients. This test was designed to indicate how
readily a tablet would be absorbed by the digestive system. The test has been in existence for many years and
is often discussed in research articles as being comparable to the USP (United States Pharmacopeia)
disintegration test and the USP dissolution test. However, Osteoporosis Canada acknowledges that our
publication of this test may have taken it out of context. It is possible that there are formulations of
calcium supplements to which the test no longer applies. It is also possible that the test is not as simple
to administer as it might at first appear. And there may be other factors affecting the disintegration of a
tablet that such a test does not take into account, for example how the tablets were stored. We appreciate
that people have called to express their concerns - the good news is that this shows people are reading about
osteoporosis and their awareness is increasing. We could have minimized the negative impact by suggesting
that consumers discuss the issue or any other questions related to their medication with their pharmacist
rather than returning the product and asking for a refund. We apologize for any inconvenience this has
caused.
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