# 4661
A little caveat emptor this morning with this story from the FDA on their testing of `generic tamiflu’ that was sold online without requiring a prescription.
Not only did it not contain any oseltamivir – it was laced with cloxacillin, a penicillin like antibiotic that could cause serious (and potentially fatal) anaphylactic reactions in some recipients.
FDA Sounds Alarm on Phony Tamiflu
The FDA is warning consumers that a phony version of an antiviral drug being sold on the Internet could spark a harmful reaction in some people.
Investigators found the drug was being sold as “generic Tamiflu,” even though FDA has not approved a generic version of Tamiflu, which is used in treatment of the flu.
The unapproved medication contains cloxacillin, an ingredient in the same class as penicillin. FDA warned that the unlabeled product could result in a life-threatening reaction in persons who are allergic to penicillin.
FDA investigators bought the fake Tamiflu without a prescription on the Internet, even though a prescription is required to buy Tamiflu in legitimate pharmacies. Later, two foil-backed blister packages with a total of 30 yellow and tan capsules arrived in an envelope postmarked India. The product label claimed to be 75 mg. capsules of oseltamivir phosphate, but testing proved otherwise.
Laboratory tests conducted by FDA showed the product did not contain oseltamivir, the active ingredient in Tamiflu. Instead, the fraudulent medication contained cloxacillin.
