Pharmaceutical fakes, knockoffs a growing problem

The prevalence of counterfeit drugs in other nations is sparking concern about the reimportation of pharmaceuticals.

By Susan J. Landers, amednews staff. Nov. 26, 2001.

Washington -- Skillfully crafted counterfeit drugs are finding their way into the U.S. market, according to experts at a recent conference held to explore ways to combat the problem.

The fake pills and liquid medications so closely resemble the real items that physicians and their patients would find it impossible to detect the difference, said Marvin Shepherd, PhD, professor of pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin. But these products can be dangerous.

Counterfeits of Ponstan, an anti-inflammatory drug that is manufactured by Pfizer Warner-Lambert in Australia, have been found in Colombia, according to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

The counterfeit drugs defy detection, with the bright yellow tablets appearing to be identical to the actual medication. But in this example, the counterfeits were made from a powder of boric acid, floor wax and yellow leaded highway paint pressed into pills that were complete with the proper detailing.

In general, Dr. Shepherd has been monitoring the transmission of drugs across the border from Mexico for several years. "Now drugs are showing up at flea markets and garage sales," he said at a news briefing held at the close of a pharmaceutical anti-counterfeiting conference held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16.

And the problem is not only prevalent in the states that border Mexico, Dr. Shepherd said. "About 40% of the drugs that leave Mexico go out all over the country."

Dr. Shepherd's concerns about the Mexico-U.S. drug traffic also center on the fact that prescriptions aren't necessary to purchase pharmaceuticals in Mexico and that a purchase contains no directions for taking the medication. [...]

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