Penicillin

ALERT JUNE 17, 2010

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces internet pharmacy fraud selling mislabeled drug as Tamiflu generic equivalent named TM-FLU. This is a scam.

A drug called TM-FLU from the online pharmacy called TRYDRUGS PHARMACEUTICALS PVT. LTD., at M.G. Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, does not contain Oseltamivir, which is the active ingredient of the well known brand of antiviral medicines, Tamiflu. This pharmaceutical company is fake and they are doing fraudulent business.

The drug, TM-FLU, will not be effective for influenza. There is no FDA approved generic Tamiflu product. Worse, TM-FLU was analyzed and it does contain Cloxacillin (one of the antibiotics of the penicillin group). This can cause deadly allergic reactions in some people, and antibiotics are not effective against the viruses that cause influenza.

The following advice is given in the FDA announcement (see link):

Consumers can also be confident that the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy Verified Internet Pharmacy Sites Seal, also known as VIPPS Seal, gives a seal of approval to pharmacy sites that apply and meet state licensure requirements. Legitimate pharmacies that carry the VIPPS seal are listed at [the website link below].

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 by calling 800-551-3989, or by visiting the OCI website [see link].

Health care professionals and consumers are encouraged to report adverse events that may be related to the use of these fraudulent products to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 800-FDA-1088, by fax at 800-FDA-0178, or by mail at: MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.

You should not use this drug. Contact the FDA as advised above, find out if they need you to hold the drug if you have it in your possession, or if you should dispose of it. If instructed to dispose, discard any remaining quantity in the proper way for your location and waste management systems.

See the links below for more information.