Quackbase!

Claim number: 20

Claimant: Secomet

Claim date: Oct. 1, 2006

Brand name: Ithemba Lesizwe

Forum in which the claim was made: Website

Claim methodology: Supplements

Frequency with which the claim is made by this claimant: Frequent

Actual claim: Treats AIDS

Plausibility of this claim: Tests are disputed or inconclusive

Responses

• Response no 39: Treatment Action Campaign Complaint to Department of Health's Law Enforcement Unit on 2006-11-01

Description

The Stellenbosch-based manufacturer of Secomet V claimed it lowered the viral load of HIV positive patients. However, Secomet V (marketed as “Ithemba Lesizwe” or hope of the nation) has never been tested in clinical trials.
The company worked with Girish Kotwal, who is a former professor at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Kertwal conducted unauthorized experiments that breached UCT laboratory protocols. He has since departed from UCT.