News Flash

Counterfeit Tamiflu Sold on the Internet

The FDA is issuing a warning about a potentially harmful product sold online as “Generic Tamiflu”. The fraudulent product contains cloxacillin, an ingredient in the same class of antibiotics as penicillin. Patients who are allergic to penicillin products may experience similar reactions from cloxacillin. 

A potentially life-threatening reaction, anaphylaxis, may occur. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, chest tightness, swelling of the throat or tongue, hives, dizziness, loss of consciousness, or a rapid or weak pulse.

For consumers who want to buy prescription drugs online, the FDA recommends purchasing only from state-licensed pharmacies in the U.S. To be certain the online pharmacy is licensed and in good standing, consider the following guidelines:

• Contact the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) for a list of state boards of pharmacy.
• Look for the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites, or VIPPS, seal. VIPPS is a voluntary program by NABP that verifies legitimacy of Internet sites dispensing prescription drugs.  Visit VIPPS online for a list of pharmacies that carry the seal.Be wary if there is no way to contact the website pharmacy by phone.
• Be cautious of very low or high prices – the average cost of Tamiflu is $80 to $90 for a course of treatment.
• Beware of advertisements, websites and e-mails that ask you to waive your legal rights in order to participate in their prescription program.

The FDA advises anyone possessing or encountering any of these fraudulent Tamiflu drugs not to use them and to contact the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) website. Consumers are further encouraged to report any adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program by calling 1-800-332-1088 or visiting their website.

For more information, please read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety Summary.