News Room

COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES

While the issue of counterfeit medicines is not new, there seems to be a growing prevalence of incidents reported by the media. The following articles highlight some of the reported cases, and dangers, of counterfeit medicines.

'Canadian' drugs sold on Internet to U.S. are often not from Canada

(Hamilton Spectator - December 17, 2005) An investigation conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found a significant percentage of drugs touted as Canadian and shipped from Internet pharmacy websites claiming to be Canadian were not actually from Canada. Of the drugs that were promoted as Canadian, 85 per cent actually came from 27 countries around the globe and a number were counterfeit.

Hamilton Spectator - Internet Drugs Not From Canada.pdf 15.35 kB

Bitter Pill

(Hamilton Spectator - October 7, 2005) Families will never know if fake drugs killed loved ones as the coroner's probe can't prove counterfeit Norvasc led to deaths.

Hamilton Spectator - Bitter Pill.PDF 93.67 kB

RCMP seizes counterfeit Viagra

(RCMP Press Release - September 27, 2005) The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section charged a Richmond Hill pharmacist and his two Richmond Hill pharmacies with eleven charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Food and Drugs Act, and the Customs Act. The RCMP allege that the accused imported, packaged, distributed and sold counterfeit Viagra.

The charges are the result of a six-month RCMP investigation with the assistance of Health Canada, the Ontario College of Pharmacists, Canada Border Services Agency and Pfizer Inc.

RCMP - RCMP seizes counterfeit Viagra.pdf 21.29 kB

5 deaths probed in pharmacy case

(Hamilton Spectator - June 24, 2005) The coroner is now investigating the deaths of five people who filled their prescriptions at King West Pharmacy. RCMP investigators last week raided the pharmacy and seized a large quantity of counterfeit tablets.

5 Deaths Probed.pdf 51.56 kB

Coroner probes drug deaths

(Hamilton Spectator, June 22, 2005) The coroner's office is investigating the deaths of "more than one" patient who filled prescriptions for Norvasc at a Hamilton pharmacy alleged to have knowingly dispensed a counterfeit version of the drug.

Hamilton Spectator - Coroner probes drug deaths.pdf 16.08 kB

Cops seize fake heart medication

(Hamilton Spectator - June 17, 2005) The Mounties raided a west-Hamilton pharmacy and seized what they describe as a counterfeit version of a life-saving heart medication.

Hamilton Spectator - Counterfeit Drugs.pdf 125.59 kB

RCMP seizes fake heart medication at Hamilton pharmacy

(RCMP Press Release - June 16, 2005) The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Greater Toronto Area Federal Enforcement Section executed a search warrant at King West Pharmacy at King Street West in Hamilton in connection with an on-going criminal investigation into the sale of a counterfeit heart medication.

RCMP - RCMP seizes counterfeit heart medication.pdf 16.48 kB