FDA Issues Warning After Counterfeit Viagra Found at Two Pharmacies

FDA regulators have issued an alert after counterfeit versions of Pfizer's impotence treatment Viagra were found at retail pharmacies in Glendale and Fresno, the Fresno Bee reports (Correa, Fresno Bee, 7/2). FDA officials said they are working with Pfizer to conduct tests to determine the true composition of the counterfeit pills and whether they pose a risk to consumers. Reuters/Wall Street Journal reports that the pills look similar to Viagra but have "several deviations" including more pronounced edges and lighter blue coloring. According to Reuters/Journal, federal regulators have become "increasingly concerned" about counterfeit prescription drugs, which can contain active ingredients or sometimes little or no medication (Reuters/Wall Street Journal, 7/1). FDA spokesperson Brad Stone would not comment on which pharmacies had sold the counterfeit medication, where the pharmacies had acquired it or how much counterfeit Viagra might be in circulation, according to the Bee. He said, "The only thing I can tell you at this point is our investigation is continuing" (Fresno Bee, 7/2).

In response to the discovery, Pfizer has posted a letter on its Web site that says, "To date there has been no indication of a safety concern or adverse events related to this counterfeit product. However, only genuine Viagra is approved by the FDA and can be considered to be safe and effective." Pfizer spokesperson Bryant Haskins said, "[T]here's nothing to suggest it's a widespread counterfeiting issue." Pfizer officials said they plan to introduce new packaging to make Viagra more difficult to copy (Reuters/Wall Street Journal, 7/1).