Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry
Pulvoids Calcylates 5 grains was submitted by the Drug Products Company, Inc., New York, under the following claims as to composition:
“When ingested represents the following chemical formulas: C6H4
| OH COO |
“Strontium Di-Salicylate 21⁄2 grs. and our especially prepared Salt of Calcium and Acid Salicylic adjusted in such nascent form, that these pulvoids upon ingestion will promptly form Calcium Neutral Di-Salicylate 21⁄2 gr.”
“A combination of Calcium and Strontium Di-Salicylate, in seemingly true chemical union.”
These statements are rather vague, possibly because they are an attempt to mystify. The product, however, may be assumed to be a mixture (not a chemical combination) of calcium salicylate and strontium salicylate. The therapeutic claims made for the preparation are:
“Superior to ordinary salicylates. Can be taken continuously and indefinitely without gastric irritation, insuring maximum efficiency.”
“Reports show surprisingly good results, even where the sodium salt fails.”
As there is no evidence to show that strontium salicylate, calcium salicylate or a mixture of the two salts has any advantage over sodium salicylate, these claims cannot be accepted. The name and the statement of composition are objectionable in that they do not reveal the identity of the drugs in “Calcylates” and in suggesting that this preparation possesses radical advantages over salicylates in other forms.