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FDA Warns Of Fake H1N1 Drugs Sold Online
Mike Sachoff
Staff Writer
2009-10-16
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people to be cautious when buying any products online that claim to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1flu virus.
 | | FDA Warns Of Fake H1N1 Drugs Sold Online |  |
The warning comes after the FDA purchased and analyzed several products represented online as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which may pose risks to people.
One of the orders, with a postmark from India, consisted of unlabeled, white tablets taped between two pieces of paper. An FDA analysis revealed the tablets contained talc and acetaminophen, but none of the active ingredients in Tamiflu.
The FDA also purchased four other products claiming to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 flu virus from other websites. These products contained various levels of oseltamivir but were not approved for use in the United States. The products did not arrive in time to treat someone infected with the H1N1 virus.
"Products that are offered for sale online with claims to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus must be carefully evaluated," said Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D.
"Medicines purchased from Web sites operating outside the law put consumers at increased risk due to a higher potential that the products will be counterfeit, impure, contaminated, or have too little or too much of the active ingredient."
The FDA is urging people to only purchase FDA-approved products from licensed pharmacies locating in the United State. People should contact their health care provider if they have questions or concerns about medical products.
About the Author:
Mike is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest ebusiness news.
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