FDA Finds New Batch of Fake Cancer Drug Avastin in U.S.

FDA officials said they have discovered a new batch of a counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin circulating in the U.S. The newly discovered batch of the fake drug bears Roche's name and is labeled as Altuzan, the brand name of the unapproved version of Avastin sold in Turkey. FDA this week said it has confirmed that U.S. health care practices have purchased the fakes, but the agency did not identify the practices.

• "FDA Finds New Batch of Counterfeit Avastin" (Rockoff/Weaver, Wall Street Journal, 4/3)
• "New Batch of Fake Avastin Reached U.S. Via Britain" (Hirschler, Reuters, 4/5)
• "FDA finds more vials of fake cancer drug" (Perrone, AP/Sacramento Bee, 4/4)