Net being used to sell fake medicines, even Tamiflu

Criminals are using the Internet to sell increasing quantities of counterfeit medicines, including fake versions of bird flu drug Tamiflu, a senior UN health expert said on Tuesday. Vitamin and health supplements, so-called "lifestyle medications" like erectile dysfunction drugs, and steroids bought over the Internet were especially likely to be false. Antibiotics, anti-malarials and pain killers were also susceptible to fraud because of the huge demand, while Tamiflu, made by Swiss firm Roche, had also entered the market amid rising avian flu fears. "Yes, there have been cases reported in counterfeit Tamiflu," said Howard Zucker, the World Health Organisation's assistant director general for health technology and pharmaceuticals. More...

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