FDA Warns Against Confusion Over Foreign Drug Brand Names
FDA on Wednesday warned U.S. consumers and health care professionals that confusion over the brand names of prescription drugs purchased from other nations could prompt consumers to take improper medications, the Wall Street Journal reports. For example, FDA cited Flomax, which in the U.S. is the brand name for the enlarged prostate treatment tamsulosin but in Italy is the brand name for the anti-inflammatory medication morniflumate.
"Taking a different active ingredient may not help, and may even harm, the user," FDA said.
FDA officials said the agency has found 105 U.S. prescription drug brand names with foreign counterparts that appear similar and could mislead consumers (Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal, 1/12).