This week, the New York Times reported that for 14 years, GlaxoSmithKline sold a denture cream called Super Poligrip that contained hazardous levels of zinc. The zinc was thought to help with adhesion; however, consumers began to develop nerve damage associated with excess levels of zinc.
Among these individuals is 53 year old, Johnny Howell of Winston-Salem, N.C. Howell had to quit his job and now needs a walker to get around. Rodney Urbanek, another Poligrip customer, began using a walker at age 63. He died a year later, as a result of a copper deficiency from “zinc overload,” according to the autopsy report.
There is question about the link between zinc poisoning and denture cream, however some researchers believe the link is clear. Poligrip contains high levels of zinc, and too much zinc causes copper deficiency. A lack of copper can cause nerve damage. And finally, last month GlaxoSmithKline agreed to stop making the version of Poligrip with zinc.
But the fact remains, GlaxoSmithKline sold dangerous denture cream for over 14 years, while there were plenty of studies to suggest the link between excessive zinc and copper deficiency. To alert consumers, it seems GlaxoSmithKline inserted a piece of paper into the product’s box containing statements that slightly resembled warnings. The headline on the insert read, “For Best Results Start With a Small Amount.”
It is unacceptable that GlaxoSmithKline neglected to recognize consumer safety as a top priority for over 14 years. Corporations must be held accountable when they place profits above the well-being of Americans.
GlaxoSmithKline is just one example of a manufacturer that knew of a potential product hazard, yet likely put profits before consumer safety. And while it seems the company has reformulated the product, there was never a formal recall or public admission of the danger. For other examples of corporations that know of product safety hazards and failed to report or fix the problems in a timely fashion, see, “Knew and Failed To: True stories of corporations that knew their products were dangerous, sometimes deadly.”
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