US FDA warning over counterfeit drugs bought in Mexico

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about the sale of counterfeit versions of Pfizer's Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Viagra (sildenafil), and an unapproved product promoted as a "generic" version of Eli Lilly's Evista (raloxifene) to US consumers at pharmacies in Mexican border towns.

The "generic Evista" was analyzed by the FDA in coordination with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and found to contain no active ingredient, notes the agency, which points out that women who take the substandard generic Evista product that contains no active agent may be at risk for developing osteoporosis or for having their ocondition progress.

The counterfeit Viagra and Lipitor were analyzed by Pfizer and also found to contain no active ingredient, and the latter product purchased in Mexico was associated with several reports of high cholesterol in consumers who had used it, the agency adds.