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| Weekly Update |
February 1, 2010 |
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FDA Alert Regarding Counterfeit Alli
The U.S. FDA released an updated public health alert regarding counterfeit Alli
being sold over the internet.
According to the FDA, here's what you need to know:
- Alli is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter weight loss
drug.
- FDA lab tests have confirmed that counterfeit versions
of the drug do not contain the FDA-approved active ingredient; rather,
they are made with varying amounts of the stimulant sibutramine.
- Sibutramine can be particularly harmful to those who
have a history of cardiovascular disease and can lead to elevated blood pressure, stroke or heart attack.
- The counterfeit drugs have been identified as Alli 60mg capsules (120 count
refill pack)
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If you take Alli, it's
important that you check it for:
- Missing lot numbers on the outer cardboard
packaging;
- An expiration
date that includes a month, day and year-expiration dates
on legitimate packages include the month and year only;
- A wordless inner safety seal-the real product contains the
words "SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION" on its inner seal;
- Large capsules containing white
powder
instead of the small white pellets; and
- A taller bottle with a wider,
coarser cap
than real Alli packaging
See photos of counterfeit Alli next to the real thing.
If you think you're in
possession of counterfeit Alli, you're asked to contact the FDA's Office of
Criminal Investigations (OCI) at 800-551-3989 or via their Web site.
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Top News
Using Counterfeit
Weight-Loss Drug May Lead to Overdose
Consumers
taking a counterfeit version of the over-the-counter weight-loss drug
Alli may be exposed to three-times the daily dose of the prescription weight
loss drug, putting some people at risk for heart attacks and strokes. Earlier this week the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) warned consumers about the fake Alli, purchased over the
Internet, noting that counterfeit versions of the drug didn't contain the active ingredient and instead
contained sibutramine. The FDA's Office of Compliance is continuing to investigate the
source of the counterfeit Alli, but there is no evidence it was purchased
in retail stores. "FDA:
Fake Versions Of Drug Alli Dangerous For Some Consumers," Wall Street
Journal, January 24, 2010; Story
here)
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World News
United
States: Counterfeit Botox Presents Deadly Threat
An unknown cosmetics trader selling a seemingly limitless supply of fake
Botox has prompted the search for his supplier, a potentially illegal factory in Chechnya, which
could be churning out
raw botulinum toxin, the key ingredient in the beauty drug and one of world's
deadliest poisons. A speck of toxin smaller than a grain of sand can kill a
150-pound adult. Al-Qaeda is known to have sought botulinum toxin, and
other terrorist
organizations have bought
and sold counterfeit drugs to raise cash. Now, with the emergence of a global
black market for counterfeit Botox, terrorism experts see an opportunity for a
deadly convergence. A search for the maker of the highly lethal toxin continues across a
widening swath of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
("Officials Fear Toxic Ingredient in Fake Botox Could Become Terrorist Tool," Washington
Post, January 25, 2010; Story
here)
South East Asia:
Millions of Counterfeit Drugs Intercepted
Police have
seized 20 million counterfeit or illegal medical products in cross-border
operations in South East Asia, arrested 30
people and closed down more than 100 pharmacies and illicit drug outlets. The operation was carried out in eight countries
-- Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Laos, Myanmar, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam --
between July and November of last year under the framework of the World Health
Organization's International
Medical Products Anti-counterfeiting Task Force.The seized products included
antibiotics, anti-malarial and birth control medicines, anti-tetanus serums,
aspirin and lifestyle drugs.
("Fake medicines seized in Asia, 30 arrested:
Interpol," Agence France-Presse, January 27, 2010; Story
here)
Nigeria: Officials
Attempt to Control Flow of Counterfeit Drugs
Nigeria's
National Agency for Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)
has begun a crackdown on local pharmacies selling counterfeit
drugs. NAFDAC's Deputy Director, Anyakora Clementina, said it
has become necessary to deal with the issue of fake drugs in the country given
its hazardous nature and their effects on the health of the people. The
counterfeit drugs uncovered during recent raids
include Lonart, Amoxil, Ampiclox, Fammiol,
Eurosumate, Augmentin, Amalar and Metakefin.The
seized fake drugs, NAFDAC officials said, would be subjected to several
laboratory tests and the dealers would be prosecuted. ("Nigeria Seizes Fake Drugs,"
Afrol News, January 27, 2010; Story here)
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About the Partnership for Safe Medicines
The Partnership for Safe Medicines is a group of organizations and individuals that have policies, procedures, or programs to protect consumers from counterfeit or contraband medicines. For more information, please visit SafeMedicines.org.
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