Iga Swiatek's melatonin manufacturer breaks silence after doping test row; issues statement disclosing no direct contact from ITIA

The pharmaceutical company that manufactured Iga Swiatek’s melatonin pills broke silence after the Pole’s doping suspension came to light. The company pledged full cooperation while claiming that it was not contacted directly by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in regard to the investigation.

Swiatek accepted a one-month suspension on November 28 for failing an out-of-competition doping test in August. The player was stripped of the prize money she earned during her semifinal run at the Cincinnati Open—the tournament immediately following the test. Having already served three weeks of provisional suspension from September 12 to October 4 during the investigation, her ban is set to be lifted on December 4.

During the investigation, it was established that Iga Swiatek ingested 2-3 melatonin tablets to regulate her sleep and stress levels on August 12, just hours before her test. As it turned out, the tablets were contaminated with a prohibited substance called “trimetazidine” (TMZ), which led to a positive result.

On Friday, November 29, the Polish pharmaceutical company, LEK-AM, which is said to have produced the contaminated batch, issued a statement saying they are “saddened” by the tennis player's ordeal.

"Like the international public opinion and fans of Ms. Iga Swiatek, we are saddened by the situation that has befallen the best tennis player in the world," the statement read. "We are deeply moved by Ms. Iga Świątek's statement of November 28, 2024, not only as employees of a pharmaceutical company, but also as fans of Polish sports."

"We declare full cooperation in order to clarify any doubts," the company added.

Regarding the ITIA’s claim that the manufacturer “did not respond” despite numerous calls and emails, LEK-AM said:

"ITIA did not contact us directly. We were contacted by a law firm from Great Britain, which did not indicate who it worked for. The law firm's representative expected us to take actions that violated Polish pharmaceutical law (Art. 36 g sec. 1 item 10 of the Pharmaceutical Law Act, Journal of Laws 2024, item 686), especially in terms of sending medicines to unauthorized persons."

"This aroused our distrust and our lack of reaction to the initiated contact. From today's perspective, we would have made contact," the statement read.

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Iga Swiatek's melatonin manufacturer LEK-AM: "Trace amounts of contamination are significantly below permissible standard"

Iga Swiatek pictured at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November 2024 - Image Source: Getty

The company asserted that its products meet “all the highest standards,” and the melatonin pills have been trusted by doctors, patients, and professional athletes for several years.

"We are sorry that the incident involved the drug Melatonina LEK-AM 1 mg – especially since our drug has enjoyed the recognition and trust of doctors and patients, including professional athletes, for many years."

"We meet all the highest standards of drug production. We follow all procedures related to the production of medicines."

Iga Swiatek’s melatonin manufacturer also claimed that the contamination detected in their batches is “significantly below” the permissible standard.

"Trace amounts of contamination detected in the tested drug packages are significantly below the permissible standard, which means that they do not pose any threat to the health and life of patients."

The ITIA considered Iga Swiatek’s doping violation to be “at the lowest end of the range” and passed a “no significant fault or negligence” verdict.