Egypt warns of counterfeit Tamiflu product in pharmacies
This article was originally published in SRA
The Egyptian Drug Authority is warning the public not to purchase Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) from public pharmacies, as such drugs could be “adulterated and dangerous”1,2. Tamiflu, which is used in treatment of influenza, including swine flu, is only available in Egypt’s public governmental hospitals, notes the regulator.
The notice follows a circular issued on 21 June by assistant minister of health for pharmaceutical affairs Kamal Sabra to all of the country’s local health authorities. The circular instructs public pharmacy inspectors to carry out intensive inspection campaigns in order to identify any pharmacies illegally selling the drug. It emphasises that any Tamiflu available in public pharmacies is there illegally and is most probably counterfeited. As such, public pharmacies selling Tamiflu are in violation of the pharmacy law (127/1955) and will face sanctions if discovered selling the drug.
The circular and EDA notice were issued after it was discovered that smuggled Tamiflu was being made available in many public pharmacies, allowing people to buy and stock the drug as a precautionary measure against swine flu; prices had reached up to 450 EGP (about $81) per pack. In addition to advising the public against falling victim to fraud and using counterfeit products, the Ministry of Health is concerned that the misuse of this drug might lead to resistance of the virus.
References
1. Egyptian Drug Authority, http://eda.mohp.gov.eg/News/NewsEng.aspx?Main=News&NewsID=88cd4c5d-9160-4dd9-9043-4d7fafb86a34#
2. Circular from Professor Sabra, 21 June 2009