Posted by Ron Hill on November 22, 2007, at 13:52:16
In reply to Re: Is Deplin available in UK?, posted by KayeBaby on November 22, 2007, at 12:03:46
Kaye, et al,
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but it is my understanding that it's Merck's intention to have its patented Metafolin used strictly in Rx products. All of the OTC's (except one) containing Metafolin are slowly but surely becoming unavailable. I'm sure this is what you will find when you look for the Source Naturals Metafolin product. Source Naturals is now selling a product called MegaFolinic, which is not L-methylfolate.
As you know, Metafolin is Merck's brand name for their patented L-methylfolate product. It is not the L-methylfolate itself that is patented. They couldn't patent L-methylfolate even if they wanted to, because it is a naturally occurring substance. Instead, Eprova, a company wholly owned by Merck, holds the patent for the PROCESS that they use to make L-methylfolate. It is difficult to produce L-methylfolate in an economically viable process. As far as I know, Eprova is the only company that has figured out how to do so. I do not know of any other current manufacturer of L-methylfolate.
I alluded to an OTC exception in my first paragraph above. Unfortunately, I did not bookmark the document, but I read that Merck has made some kind of an exclusive agreement with HSFolate, http://www.hsfighters.com/ , whereby Merck will continue to sell Metafolin to HSFolate so they can use it in their OTC, so long as HSFolate contains other ingredients in addition to Metafolin. Fortunately, HSFolate added methyl-B12 and B6. It’s too bad they didn’t use P-5-P instead of B6. If this information that I read is correct, this means that patients can continue to buy an OTC with Metafolin in it at http://www.hsfighters.com/ .
As an aside, all patients using L-methylfolate should also take methyl-B12 and P-5-P. To understand why, pull up the Metafolin Home page, http://www.metafolin.com/ . Now, click on the Scientific Review button, and read page 5 in particular. This is part of the reason why L-methylfolate users should take methyl-B12 and P-5-P.
-- Ron
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> I posted my correction to the Deplin post above.
>
> I was taking Source Naturals Metafolin not the one they have on the link now. If I can find a site with it I will let you know.
>
> Sorry for the confusion.
>
> Oh-l-methylfolate is legal, not a controlled substance. The problem is one of availability so don't worry.
>
>
> Kaye
poster:Ron Hill
thread:795874
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071115/msgs/796578.html