Fake Drugs Have Real Consequences for Patients

Black market medicine is terrible for patients all over the world, including Americans. At best, counterfeit and substandard medicine may not adequately treat a patient's illness. At worst, counterfeit medicines may cause poisoning or death.

Each of the following stories mentions people who have been sickened or died after being treated with fake medicine. Every day, American patients are harmed when they break the closed U.S. drug supply.

Fake drug in 2 Jiangsu deaths

May 31, 2006

A HOSPITAL in Jiangsu Province is investigating whether the death of two patients was caused by a fake drug made by a Heilongjiang Province drugmaker, a newspaper reported yesterday. The two men were injected with Armillarisin A made by the Qiqihar No. 2 Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, said the Modern Express. Wang Xiyong, 27, died on…

Fake Botox Sickens 4, Arizona Suppliers Land in Jail

January 26, 2006

View larger map Four people who had been treated in a South Florida clinic developed Botulism poisoning as a result of injections with counterfeit Botox. Two were patients at a facility licensed as a spa called Advanced Integrated Medical Center (AIMC). The other two were Bach McComb, the owner of AIMC, and his assistant Alma…

4 Deaths Tied to Counterfeit Drugs Dispensed at Ontario, Canada Pharmacy

September 9, 2005

View larger map King West Pharmacy in Hamilton, Ontario came under scrutiny and the pharmacist of record there was arrested after 11 people died after being prescribed what turned out to be counterfeit versions of Norvasc, a Pfizer heart medication. The pills were actually made of talcum powder. Who: Ontario Regional Coroner’s Office, Royal Canadian…