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Independent Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study Demonstrates Safety of Cold-Eeze in a Geriatric Population

Posted on: Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 09:00 CDT

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Quigley Corporation announced today the results of an independent double-blind placebo-controlled study, to be released in the January/February issue of the American Journal of Therapeutics, that found the Cold-Eeze(R) Zinc Gluconate Glycine formula to be an extremely safe course of therapy to reduce the duration of the common cold when administered to a geriatric population medically diagnosed with one or more health conditions. The study found no adverse effects with the wide range of concomitant medications, both prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC), that the seniors participating in the study reported taking. Cold-Eeze is manufactured by Quigley Manufacturing Inc. and distributed by The Quigley Corporation.

"The number of geriatric patients requesting or utilizing alternative medicine shows a sizable proportion of older persons are interested in learning more from their physicians about such an approach to their health care needs," said Dr. Raymond Silk, Medical Director at the Silk Clinic in Philadelphia, PA, where the study was conducted. "Further, seniors are the leading consumers of both RX and OTC medications so it is essential for doctors to be able to recommend products that are both safe on their own and when interacting with other drugs."

He added, "As nearly five million U.S. adults ages 65 and older experience the common cold each year, we are pleased to report that our study provides strong evidence for the safety of Cold-Eeze's Zinc Gluconate Glycine to reduce the duration of a cold amongst older patients."

In the clinical trial, safety was assessed based on physical examinations, vital signs, blood and urine samples and patients' reports of adverse effects both at baseline and post-study. Subjects self-administered one (1) Cold-Eeze or placebo lozenge every 3-4 hours for six (6) days. Sixty-six (66) subjects were enrolled in the study with thirty-three (33) being randomized to active; thirty-three (33) were randomized to placebo. Nineteen (19) male, forty-seven (47) female; thirty-four (34) African American, thirty-two (32) Caucasian. Median age for subjects was 68; with a range of 54 - 90. Participating patients reported a broad range of pre-existing medical conditions at baseline, including anemia, angina, anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gastritis, glaucoma, hypertension, osteoporosis and others. There were no serious adverse effects reported in either placebo or active, and no clinically significant adverse effects in any subjects.

"With alternative medicine so popular among patients seeking relief of symptoms not adequately treated by conventional medicines, it is especially important to have a study demonstrating the safety of such a remedy to reduce the duration of the common cold, which has thus far defied efforts to find a cure," said Guy Quigley, president and CEO of The Quigley Corporation. "Now seniors, a population more likely to experience drug-related adverse effects, can feel comfortable taking our Cold-Eeze products to get better faster from the common cold."

About The Quigley Corporation

The Quigley Corporation is a diversified natural health medical science company. Its Cold Remedy segment is a leading marketer and manufacturer of the COLD-EEZE(R) family of lozenges, gums and sugar free tablets clinically proven to cut the common cold nearly in half. COLD-EEZE customers include leading national wholesalers and distributors, as well as independent and chain food, drug and mass merchandise stores and pharmacies. The Quigley Corporation has four (4) wholly owned subsidiaries. Darius International markets health and wellness products through its wholly owned subsidiary, InnerLight Inc. Quigley Manufacturing Inc. consists of two FDA approved facilities to manufacture COLD-EEZE(R) lozenges as well as fulfill other contract manufacturing opportunities. Quigley Pharma Inc. (http://www.quigleypharma.com/) conducts research in order to develop and commercialize a pipeline of patented botanical and naturally derived prescription drugs.

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve known and unknown risk, un certainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement. Factors that impact such forward- looking statements include, among others, changes in worldwide general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, government regulations, and worldwide competition.

CONTACT: Media Investor Relations Alissa Pinck Carl Hymans G.S. Schwartz & Co. G.S. Schwartz & Co. 212.725.4500 x315 212.725.4500 x304 apinck@schwartz.com carlh@schwartz.com

Quigley Corporation

CONTACT: Media - Alissa Pinck, +1-212-725-4500 x315,apinck@schwartz.com, Investor Relations - Carl Hymans, +1-212-725-4500 x304,carlh@schwartz.com, both of G.S. Schwartz & Co. for Quigley Corporation

Web site: http://www.quigleyco.com/http://www.quigleypharma.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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