Chicago Pharmacist Charged with Substituting Chinese Counterfeits for Genuine Medication
Michael Markiewicz, a Chicago area pharmacist, was indicted in Federal court April 18th 2013 on charges that instead of filling prescriptions with genuine ED medication, he purchased Chinese-made counterfeits and substituted them for the real drugs. Markiewicz was charged with eight counts of violating the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; four counts of trafficking in counterfeit drugs or goods using a counterfeit mark; and three counts of smuggling.
Who: Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, FDA-OCI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
When: April 18, 2013; December 2010 2011-August 2012.
Where: Chicago, Illinois
How: Investigation and suspension of Markiewicz’s pharmacists license by Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.
Additional details: According to the indictment, the counterfeit medication Markiewicz ordered came shipped from China marked as a “gift pen” on the customs declaration. The fake drugs were hidden in small plastic bags underneath the pen.
Related sources:
“ Grand Jury Indictment (PDF),” United State District Court Northern District. April 18, 2013.
“ Suspended North Side Pharmacist Indicted For Allegedly Smuggling And Trafficking Counterfeit Viagra,” Press Release Department of Justice. April 18, 2013.
“ Pharmacist charged with selling counterfeit Viagra,” Chicago Sun-Times. April 18, 2013.
“ Chicago pharmacist charged with peddling fake drug,”KFVS CBS Affiliate, Chicago. April 18, 2013.
“ Chicago pharmacist charged with giving counterfeit Viagra, Cialis,”ABC News Local. April 19, 2013.