Manufacturer Behind Iga Swiatek's Doping Scandal Breaks Silence

Saturday, 30 November 2024 at 00:00

byJordan Reynolds

The company that sold former WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek contaminated melatonin, which led to her positive doping test, has released a statement about the matter.

Swiatek's millions of fans worldwide were stunned to learn the four-time French Open champion accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine from an out-of-competition sample she gave on August 12th.

On September 12th, Swiatek was provisionally suspended. She appealed the decision on September 22nd, explaining that the positive tests were caused by a non-prescription medicine being contaminated.

The Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory carried out testing that proved Swiatek's explanation was accurate. Her provisional ban was lifted on October 4th, and the case details were not made public at that stage.

Swiatek was eventually offered the one-month ban by the International Tennis Integrity Agency that she accepted. Since the 23-year-old already served most of that when provisionally banned, the Pole can return at the start of the 2025 season.

The other consequence for Swiatek was losing the prize money she earned at the Cincinnati Open. This year's French Open champion played at that tournament a few days after giving the out-of-competition sample.

The positive tests were caused by the melatonin Swiatek bought from a Polish company, LEK-AM. Producing and distributing a product that was contaminated and led to an athlete receiving a ban is a major scandal for the drug manufacturer.

LEK-AM made a statement about the issue on Friday. In it, the company expressed sadness about Swiatek receiving a ban and said it would have engaged more had the International Tennis Integrity Agency initiated direct contact.

"Together with the international public and fans of Ms. Iga Swiatek, we are saddened by the situation that has occurred to the world's best tennis player. We are deeply moved by Ms. Iga Swiatek's statement dated November 28 2024, not only as employees of the pharmaceutical company, but also as fans of the Polish sports."

"We are truly sorry that the incident occurred involving the drug Melatonina LEK-AM 1 mg - all the more so because our drug has for many years been appreciated and trusted by doctors and patients, including professional athletes."

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"LEK-AM Pharmaceutical Company has been manufacturing drugs of the highest quality and is regularly inspected by the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate (GIF). We fulfill all the highest standards of drug manufacturing."

"We follow all procedures related to the production of pharmaceuticals, in accordance with the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulated by EU and national law. Melatonina LEK-AM 1 mg is subject to strict inspection at every stage of production."

"Traces of impurities detected in the tested packages of the drug are well below the acceptable standard, which means that they do not threaten the health and life of patients to any extent. Melatonina LEK-AM 1 mg melatonin is safe for patients."

"Regarding the situation, LEK-AM is in constant dialogue with the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate. We declare our full cooperation in order to clarify any doubts."

"We kindly inform that ITIA did not contact us directly. We were contacted by a law firm from the UK which, however, did not indicate for whom it works. The representative of the law firm expected us to violate the Polish pharmaceutical law [Art. 36 g (1) (10) of the Pharmaceutical Law Act, Journal of Laws 2024.686] especially with regard to sending medications to unauthorized persons."