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From: JC
Date: 03 Jun 2002
Time: 13:44:10 -0400
Remote Name:
66.50.95.99
Nobody is mistaken here nor do I think N is part of Cheminova’s “Scam” either. Skin-Cap has been around for a while and certainly has caused much tumult among atopic patients. First, Skin-Cap was introduced as a new treatment for psoriasis after samples were provided to the Psoriasis Association and member testing proved impressive results. That was in early 1997. The proposed mechanism of action suggested that Sodium Methyl Ethyl Sulfate, which has antiseptic, keratolytic, and epidemic cornea layer stimulating properties, increased the potency of the claimed active ingredient, Zinc Pyritione improving the overall efficiency of the product. What Cheminova kept to themselves was the fact that what really made Skin-Cap so effective was the inclusion of a super potent prescription steroid – Clobetasol Proprionate. After this act was discovered by regulatory agencies (FDA, NPA, etc.) the product was banned and taken out of market immediately (see http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia6106.html This took place around sept./1997. Between 1997 and 2000, Cheminova continued to manufacture the steroidal version of Skin-Cap on and off aiming to distribute the product through the internet with hopes of keeping their juicy share of the US market. Being such a popular product, many internet retailers and black market distributors took advantage of this and conducted business big-time. A non-steroidal version of the product was then reintroduced in January 2000, but then discovered that Cheminova was again adding a different steroid, and banned in March 2000. Currently Cheminova is kept in check by regulatory agencies making it virtually impossible for them to distribute a product containing steroids anymore. Their current product, as stated on their page, contains Zinc pyrithione and no steroids. As you may already know, Zinc pyrithione is the active ingredient in many dandruff shampoos (Ex. Head&Shoulders). It has been shown to be ineffective for psoriasis or atopic disorders in various combinations of isopropyl myristate and other solvents. Steve, N most likely got her Skin-Cap sometime before end of year/2001 as there are rumors that Cheminova was still distributing steroidal Skin-Cap within that time period. N is right in the sense that the product has (or had) a super potent steroid therefore its efficacy. Sara, you might want to try getting an rx. for Temovate, Dermovate or Diprolene (all superpotent steroids comparable to Clobetasol Proprionate) or the more skin friendly Lidex cream or Cyclocort. Good luck! JC