FDA Warns of Online H1N1 Influenza Virus Drug Product Purchases

FDA is alerting you to a use extreme caution when purchasing any medication over the Internet claiming to prevent or treat H1N1 influenza virus. Several orders of the H1N1 vaccine Tamiflu (oseltamivir) purchased from online pharmacies were found to be a health threat to consumers.

FDA is alerting you to a use extreme caution when purchasing any medication over the Internet claiming to prevent or treat H1N1 influenza virus. The warning comes after the FDA recently purchased and analyzed several products represented online as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which may pose risks to patients.

One of the orders, which arrived in an unmarked envelope with a postmark from India, consisted of unlabeled, white tablets taped between two pieces of paper. When analyzed by the FDA, the tablets were found to contain talc and acetaminophen, but none of Tamiflu’s active ingredient oseltamivir.

Other products purchased online were found to contain various levels of oseltamivir, but were not approved for use in the United States. The products were also purchased without a prescription from a healthcare professional, which is illegal and a telltale sign that the online pharmacy is unlicensed.  

Online solicitations for H1N1 influenza virus drugs have increased in the past year as buyers’ demand for the product has increased, and consequently drug counterfeiters have taken advantage of the situation. For tips on how to safely buy medicines online, click here.