BBC pulls Dragons’ Den episode after ‘unfounded claims’ product may remedy ME

The BBC has pulled an episode of Dragons’ Den from iPlayer over considerations about “unfounded claims” {that a} product may remedy ME. 

In the episode, which first aired on 18 January, businesswoman Giselle Boxer mentioned she had used “diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds” to assist her restoration from ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), also referred to as persistent fatigue syndrome.

Her expertise with ear seeds – tiny needle-free acupressure units – prompted her to develop her model Acu Seeds, which acquired gives from all six of the Dragons, a report achievement within the present’s historical past.

There are often 5 Dragons within the Den. The present common line-up is Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett. But for the Acu Seeds episode, Gary Neville – the ex-footballer, pundit and businessman – had joined the panel as a visitor Dragon.

Ms Boxer ended up accepting a suggestion from Bartlett – the youngest-ever Dragon, additionally identified for internet hosting the podcast The Diary Of A CEO.

But ME campaigners mentioned Ms Boxer made “unfounded claims” concerning the effectiveness of the remedy which the Dragons have been so impressed by.

On Thursday, a BBC spokesperson mentioned: “We’re taking the concerns raised seriously, so we are reviewing the episode and therefore it’s currently not available on iPlayer.”

The broadcaster earlier defended the programme, saying it “features products from entrepreneurs and is not an endorsement of them” and that Ms Boxer was sharing a “personal experience that led to a business creation”.

Ms Boxer has additionally defended herself, saying that she was “recruited” by producers of Dragons’ Den to look on the present.

An open letter, organised by the charity Action for ME, to the chairs of two House of Commons choose committees mentioned it was “very concerned” that her pitch advised the product was “responsible for her recovery and should therefore be considered an effective treatment”.

ME is a long-term situation with signs together with excessive tiredness, sleep points and focus issues. It doesn’t have a remedy, however there are therapies that will assist handle it, based on the NHS.

During the present, Ms Boxer informed the potential buyers she had established the product after being identified with ME when she was 26.

She mentioned: “Four years ago I was diagnosed with ME. I went from working in a top advertising agency with a busy social life and exercising regularly to being mostly housebound, unable to walk for more than five minutes without having to get back into bed.

“I used to be informed by medical doctors that I’d by no means recuperate, work once more or have kids.

“I went on a personal healing journey using diet, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and ear seeds. Using this combination, I believe, aided my recovery within 12 months.”

Her Acu Seeds product was described as a “DIY needle-free ear acupuncture for anxiety, migraines, hormonal issues, insomnia, weight loss and more”.

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Concerned marketing campaign teams mentioned that, because the episode was aired in prime time on BBC One, they have been frightened a big viewers would have heard the pitch – which they alleged “amounts to an unfounded claim that this form of alternative medicine can cure ME”.

The Action for ME letter added: “Sadly, there is currently no known effective treatment for ME. There has been a distinct paucity of research into this disease, compared to other long-term conditions, which means that ME is still without a cure.

“As a outcome, we remind folks to solely take medical recommendation from appropriately certified healthcare professionals and to make sure that any remedy selections are evidence-based and absolutely knowledgeable.”

The letter also said broadcasters must make “each effort to make sure that content material is correct and doesn’t comprise deceptive and doubtlessly harmful info”.

Acu Seeds has been contacted by the Press Association for remark.