Counterfeit Cancer Treatment Drug Found in United States
A counterfeit version of the cancer therapy drug Avastin has been found in the United States, announced Roche Holding AG, a Swiss company. Vials of the medication were tested at Roche and found not to contain the active ingredients, according to Genentech, a division of Roche. A foreign supplier of the drug, Quality Special Products (QSP) has been identified as the source of the counterfeits. Thus far 19 medical practices in the United States have been contacted by the FDA about their purchases from QSP.
Who: FDA Office of Drug Safety and Availability.
When: Date of report - February 14, 2012, Timeline - July 2011-February 2012.
Where: Los Angeles, California, United States.
How: Verification testing done by Roche/Genentech.
Additional details: At present it is unknown how many doctors offices and patients have had contact with the counterfeit Avastin.
Distribution Chain: Download Fake Avastin map
Related sources:
"Fake Cancer Drug Found in U.S.," Wall Street Journal. 2/15/2012.
"Counterfeit Version of Avastin in U.S. Distribution," FDA. 2/15 2012.
"GENENTECH STATEMENT ON COUNTERFEIT DRUG LABELED AS AVASTIN® (BEVACIZUMAB) IN THE UNITED STATES," Genentech. 2/14/2012.
"Doctors Scour Drug Supply After Fake Avastin Found," Reuters. 2/15/2012.
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