Disjointed Approach

A Nov. 22 Health article described a National Institutes of Health study that found that the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin are no better than a placebo at relieving arthritis joint pain. Yet on the same day, The Post also published a half-page advertisement in Style promoting "Move Free Joint Strengthener," a glucosamine and chondroitin dietary supplement.

The ad contained a series of claims at odds with the report cited in the story. The Post's decision to accept the advertisement even though it contradicted the paper's own reporting would mislead those who saw only the ad.

The Post should reexamine its policy on accepting ads that its own reporting shows to be misleading.

-- Henry A. Waxman

Washington

The writer is a Democratic representative from California.