The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning the public about the sale of counterfeit versions of Lipitor, Viagra, and an unapproved product
promoted as "generic Evista" to U.S. consumers at pharmacies in Mexican border towns.
Consumers who have any of these counterfeit products should not use them and should contact their healthcare provider immediately. FDA is warning
consumers that prescription drugs purchased in foreign countries are not regulated by the FDA and do not carry the same FDA assurances of safety,
effectiveness, and manufacturing quality as drugs purchased within the United States.
Counterfeit versions of Lipitor (a cholesterol-lowering drug), Viagra (a treatment for erectile dysfunction), and Evista (a treatment and prevention
medication for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women) can pose significant risks to consumers. Counterfeit Lipitor that contains no active ingredient
or not enough active ingredient could present a long-term risk for the various complications of high cholesterol, such as heart disease. The
counterfeit product purchased in Mexico was associated with several reports of high cholesterol in consumers who had used the product. Counterfeit
Viagra that contains little or no active ingredient would be less effective than a legitimate product or altogether ineffective. Women who take the
substandard generic Evista product that contains no active ingredient may be at risk for developing osteoporosis or for having their osteoporosis
progress.
The "generic Evista" was analyzed by FDA in coordination with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and was found to contain no active
ingredient. The counterfeit Lipitor and counterfeit Viagra were analyzed by Pfizer, Inc. and were also found to contain no active ingredient.
The "generic Evista" product was purchased from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico and is labeled as "Raloxifeno, fenilox, 50 tabletas, 60mg", made or
distributed by Litio and labeled as manufactured in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The label has red triangles across the top and bottom. (See the
website noted below for photographs of the products.)
Counterfeit Lipitor and Viagra were purchased in the Mexican border towns of Juarez, Los Algodones, Nogales, and Tijuana . The counterfeit Lipitor and
counterfeit Viagra products were labeled only in English, whereas legitimate Mexican pharmaceuticals are usually labeled in Spanish. In addition, the
counterfeit Lipitor was provided in round white plastic bottles; however authentic Lipitor in Mexico is sold only in boxes of blister packs.
FDA and Mexican federal health officials are continuing to work together to address the issue of counterfeit human drug products, especially along our
common border. Recently, federal health officials in Mexico's Federal Commission for the Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) have undertaken
several specific operations to target illegal drugs, including counterfeit drugs, in Mexican drug stores. These operations, throughout Mexico,
including the areas that border on the U.S. have resulted in the suspension of 19 pharmacies and the confiscation and recall of over 105 tons of
medicines.
What?? Counterfeit Viagra? Well that explains some of the attitudes around here!!!
Thanks for the heads up comitan - 5-12-2005 at 10:01 AM
I guess since all the drugs us americans and mexicans are taking for our illnesses are no good, why haven't we all died.El Camote - 5-12-2005 at 10:55 AM
Well, that explains why the generic Viagra I bought, called Niagra, just made me pee a whole lot.
meme
meme - 5-12-2005 at 11:41 AM
The pharmacutical companies will REALLY love this hype from the media!!! should help thier sales a WHOLE lot!Dave - 5-12-2005 at 02:23 PM
I take medication for glaucoma. I buy my meds here and have never had a problem, however I have my pressure taken a few days after I buy a new bottle.
I would probably do the same even in the States. I won't take any chances when it comes to my vision.jim janet - 5-12-2005 at 03:55 PM
instead of viagra i use oysters but the other day i ate 6 and only 4 worked,are they counterfeit?Anonymous - 5-12-2005 at 07:11 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by El Camote
Well, that explains why the generic Viagra I bought, called Niagra, just made me pee a whole lot.
You should wash it down with capt. mike's favorite vintage:
