“ITIA did not contact us directly” – Swiatek’s drug manufacturer rebuts tennis watchdog’s claim

“We were contacted by a law firm from the UK which, however, did not indicate for whom it works”

November 30, 2024

The Iga Swiatek doping saga has taken a new turn with the manufacturer of melatonin, the contaminated drug in question, offering a rebuttal to the ITIA or International Tennis Integrity Agency’s claim in their final verdict.

Swiatek tested positive for trimetazidine or TMZ — a banned substance that helps in heart-related issues, in August 2024 and invited a one-month ban from ITIA. The Pole claimed unintentional doping, claiming the drug entered her body through a dose of melatonin that was adulterated during manufacturing at a LEK-AM Sp. z o.o. Pharmaceutical Company plant.

The tennis watchdog accepted the argument and declared “no significant fault or negligence” on the world No 2’s part, releasing a lengthy ruling on November 27, 2024.

"The toughest battle of my life."

Iga Swiatek's full statement after accepting a one-month suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme for testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine. pic.twitter.com/Zya4YmAEqO
— Eurosport (@eurosport) November 28, 2024

Interestingly, in their judgement, the ITIA mentioned that the drug producer failed to respond to their notices:

“The ITIA sought to contact the manufacturer of the Product on numerous occasions, including by telephone and email. However, the manufacturer did not respond. The ITIA verified that the manufacturer also manufactures a TMZ product.” (Item No 33)

On Saturday, LEK-AM Sp. z o.o. Pharmaceutical Company, based out of Zakroczym, Poland, issued an extended statement against ITIA’s claim.

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.

“This raised our distrust and the lack of our response. From today’s perspective, we would have initiated contact.”

More excerpts from the drug manufacturer’s explanation

“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.

“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.”

Read the full statement here.