Wholesaler knew drugs it bought were counterfeits
Counterfeiters tried to replicate the genuine Cialis packaging pictured
here |
At least one licensed UK pharmaceutical wholesaler knowingly bought and sold counterfeit medicines last year, according to the Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Counterfeit Cialis (tadalafil) was innocently supplied to a patient by
a community pharmacy last year (PJ, 28 August 2004, p277). The counterfeit
product was identified after the patient complained that the tablets
were crumbly when broken.
Just a week later, another wholesaler discovered that it had been sold
counterfeit Reductil (sibutramine) (PJ, 11 September 2004, p335).
This week, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said: “Investigations
so far show that entry into the legal supply chain was achieved by one,
or possibly two, licensed wholesalers (who also happen to hold parallel
import licences) purchasing counterfeit Cialis and Reductil in English
packaging from people who did not hold any licences to supply any medicinal
products whatsoever. If proved, this will constitute an illegal transaction
and not a regulatory system failure.
“
The counterfeit Cialis and Reductil then entered the legitimate UK supply
chain in a wholesale transaction (not a parallel import or parallel distribution
transaction) at the point when these products were sold on to other licensed
wholesalers and pharmacies. Thus, the guilty party(s) appear to have
knowingly purchased counterfeit products for financial gain.”
The MHRA is currently involved in a co-ordinated offshore tracking exercise,
liaising with several countries across Europe. It says that the drugs
have been stopped in the UK legitimate supply chain but it might still
be possible to purchase them from the internet. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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