Thailand moves to stem fake anti-flu drug smuggling

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been instructed to keep a close watch and prevent the smuggling of counterfeit anti-A (H1N1) viral drug Oseltamivir or Tamiflu into the country, said a top FDA official.

Fearing complications from the sales of fake Oseltamivir, FDA Secretary-General Pipat Yingsaree said FDA would join with the Customs Department to closely monitor and stem the inflow of the counterfeit drug.

Dr. Pipat also ordered inspectors at border checkpoints to intercept the counterfeit anti-flu drug.

The cumulative A(H1N1) death toll in Thailand announced on Wednesday was 44, while the number of confirmed cases has reached 6,776.

Of this number, 6,697 cases have fully recovered, while 35 others are receiving medical treatment, according to the Public Health Ministry’s report.

The FDA secretary-general said that retailers or smugglers of the counterfeit anti-flu Oseltamivir also known under its trade name Tamiflu would face jail terms of one to 20 years and fines of between 2,000-10,000 baht.

Manufacturers of counterfeit drugs face three years to life imprisonment and fines from 10,000-50,000 baht.

-- TNA 2009-07-24

China will simply switch from counterfeit milk to HINI vaccines - same old.

Wonder which will be more hazardous - the counterfeit one or the experimental one?!

Bubba