Counterfeit drugs
Executive Summary
Serono's Serostim (somatropin) lot number (S810-1A1) found to contain counterfeit versions of the AIDS wasting drug, Serono announced May 16. GlaxoSmithKline reported two Ziagen (abacavir) bottles with counterfeit Combivir (lamivudine/zidovudine) labels in a May 10 "Dear Health Care Professional" letter. Two other Combivir labels are "suspect," the company said. Amgen reports counterfeit Epogen (epoetin alfa) vials containing diluted drug in May 8 letter. The unusual cluster of public counterfeiting reports, including Lilly's Zyprexa (1"The Pink Sheet" May 13, In Brief), may help the industry combat proposed reimportation legislation...
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Lilly Zyprexa tampering
Lilly warns pharmacists and physicians of one Zyprexa tampering report in Minnesota and two in Wisconsin. Pharmacists "have found Zyprexa 10 and 15 mg bottles which have had all of the Zyprexa tablets removed and replaced with white tablets marked 'aspirin'," a May 4 "Dear Pharmacist" letter says. Pharmacists finding evidence of tampering are asked to notify NNC Group, a recall and pharmaceutical logistics service, at 1-800-668-4391...