Concern Rises Over Fake Drugs
The recent interception of dozens of packages of counterfeit Tamiflu, the antiviral drug being stockpiled in anticipation of a bird flu pandemic, highlighted a problem federal officials say is growing: fake medications entering the United States.
The Early Show consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen says the pills that turned out to be phony were bought via several Web sites, shipped from Asia, and were apparently headed directly to consumers, not to pharmacies, doctors or medical facilities.
This was the first seizure in the U.S. of counterfeit Tamiflu, but the Food and Drug Administration says, as worries over a possible bird flu outbreak increase, there will probably be more cases of fake Tamiflu coming into this country.
U.S. Customs agents and the FDA have teamed to combat counterfeit drugs, Koeppen points out, screening incoming packages and paying close attention to medications.
This stash of Tamiflu was labeled "generic." That's a major red flag, Koeppen explains, since real Tamiflu only comes from one company, Roche, and there's no generic brand available.
FDA analysis found the pills contained no active ingredients of actual Tamiflu.
The FDA adds that there's no shortage of Tamiflu in America and people don't need to stockpile it.
What's more, Koeppen says, there's growing concern over counterfeit drugs being sold in this country, both by pharmacies and over the Internet.
Last year, the number of counterfeit drug cases investigated by the FDA almost doubled from the year before, with 58 in 2004 and 30 in 2003.
Typically, Koeppen observes, counterfeiters try to sell bogus versions of popular drugs. The FDA has busted alleged rings providing counterfeit Viagra, counterfeit human growth hormone, and counterfeit versions of the popular cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor.The agency warns counterfeit medicine often can be contaminated, and can be very dangerous to your health.
To protect yourself, Koeppen suggests you buy medications only from state-licensed pharmacies. Using a licensed pharmacy means the drugs you get are regulated by the FDA, and come from a reputable source.
If you buy medicines online, only use Web sites with the "VIPPS" seal. It stands for "Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites Accreditation Program," and means that the online pharmacy has been certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, and is subject to strict quality controls and regulations. Only a handful of Internet pharmacies have the seal.
To check on whether your pharmacy is licensed, log onto NAPD.net or call 1-847-698-6227.
To find an online pharmacy that carries the "VIPPS" seal and is certified by the NABP, click here.
The FDA says you should be extra careful when buying drugs online. It recommends that you only get prescriptions from a doctor and pharmacy you know. Be especially wary of spam e-mails from online pharmacies soliciting your business.
Also, advises Koeppen, always check your medications. When you get a prescription filled or refilled, check the color, texture, taste, and shape of the pills, as well as the packaging. If anything seems different, alert your pharmacist.
Many counterfeit drugs come in phony packaging, so always look out for that.