Related publications / resources

WFH Statements/Advisories

World Federation of Hemophilia Medical Advisory Board Advisory on herbal/homeopathic products marketed to treat von Willebrand disease

The Medical Advisory Board of the World Federation of Hemophilia notes that two products, Wilbrintin and Willetab, are being advertised for sale through the internet with the claim of being effective in the treatment of von Willebrand disease. Both these products for oral use are homeopathic or herbal products composed of dilute preparation of herbs and chemicals such as ammonium chloride and potassium nitrate but do not contain von Willebrand factor. These products are marketed by companies based in Europe and can be sold without review or a licence from the European regulatory authorities in view of the nature of their composition. No supporting data from clinical trials are available to support their use.

The Medical Advisory Board does not support the use or marketing of these products for the treatment of a potentially serious condition such as von Willebrand disease in the absence of any supporting evidence of clinical efficacy or approval by the usual pharmaceutical regulatory agencies.

This statement was approved by the WFH Medical Advisory Board on June 3, 2008.

Disclaimer
This material is provided for general information purposes only. The WFH does not engage in the practice of medicine and does not give medical advice. Under no circumstances does the WFH recommend particular treatment for specific individuals. For medical diagnosis or treatment, the WFH recommends that individuals consult their physician or local hemophilia treatment centre.

July 2008

WFH and NHF letters to The Honorable Joseph Biden and to various Congressmen concerning the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008 and the ban for people traveling to the US who are affected by HIV.
The Honorable Joseph Biden
Congressmen

February 2008

WFH letter to the European Commission concerning a letter from the International Federation of Blood Donors Organizations (IFBDO), titled “Sufficiency of supply of blood and blood products within the European Union.”