FDA Warns About Counterfeit Cancer Drug Imported Into U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration is alerting healthcare professionals that another cancer drug, originating from a foreign source and purchased by U.S. medical practices, has been determined to be counterfeit. FDA lab tests have confirmed that a counterfeit version of Roche’s Altuzan 400mg/16ml (bevacizumab), an injectable cancer medication, found in the U.S. contains no active ingredient. Even if the identified drugs were not counterfeit, Altuzan is not approved by FDA for use in the U.S. (it is an approved drug in Turkey). Medical practices obtained the counterfeit Altuzan and other unapproved products through foreign sources, in particular from Richards Pharma, also known as Richards Services, Warwick Healthcare Solutions, or Ban Dune Marketing Inc (BDMI).

FDA statement on Altuzan alert (dated 04/03/12) available here.

FDA alert about another cancer drug in U.S. distribution that was purchased from a foreign source and found to be counterfeit (dated 02/14/12) available here.