More Batches Of Counterfeit Avastin Discovered In United States

April 5, 2012

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in February that it had discovered several lots of a counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin. It stated that the counterfeit versions did not contain the active ingredient that was in the real version of the drug, and patients who took it may not have received effective treatments.

Now, WRAL News says that another counterfeit batch of the drug has been discovered in the U.S. under its Turkish name, Altuzan. The FDA says that any vial of the drug under that name with the batch number B6021 is possibly counterfeit. Officials say that drugs supplier Richards Pharma shipped 120 packages of the drug directly into the U.S. Anyone in possession of the potentially fake medications are being told to quarantine them immediately and contact the FDA for further instructions on disposal.

The United States has seen a growing number of reports of counterfeit drugs entering the country, as drug shortages are plaguing hospitals and doctor’s offices nationwide. Last year, more than 1,700 cases of counterfeit drugs were reported worldwide, with 6% of those cases occurring here in the United States.

This is why the North Carolina Drug Injury Attorneys with HensonFuerst Injury Lawyers would advise you to never take a medication, even if it’s going to be administered by a doctor, unless it has met FDA approval status or is in the clinical trial stage.