Originally published August 20 2008
Is the Pharmacy Near You Selling Counterfeit Drugs?
by Joanne Waldron
(NaturalNews) The FDA has just issued a press release warning consumers who had prescriptions filled at two different "The Medicine Shoppe" pharmacies located in Baltimore (8035A Liberty Road and 5900 Reisterstown Road) that they could've received either counterfeit or expired drugs. Since some of the drugs in question are used to treat very serious conditions, the FDA is extremely concerned. There is currently no evidence that there are any problems with prescriptions filled at any other "The Medicine Shoppe" pharmacy locations.
Are any of These in Your Medicine Chest?
The following medications, if obtained from either of the above pharmacies, should be discarded:
* Lisinopril (20 milligrams)
* Guaifenesin/Dextromethorphan (600 mg and 1000 mg)
* Gabapentin (100 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg)
* Metoprolol (50 mg)
* Nifedipine (30 mg)
* Diclofenac Sodium (30 mg)
* Glucophage (500 mg Extended Release)
* Glucovance (125 mg and 500 mg)
* Glipizide/Metformin (2.50 mg/250 mg)
* Furosemide (20 mg)
* Tamoxifen Citrate (10 mg)
* Metformin HCl ER (500 mg)
* Calcitrol (0.25 micrograms)
Contact the FDA for Disposal Instructions
Anyone who is in possession of any of these drugs is requested to call the FDA at 800-521-5783 for further information on how to dispose of the drugs. These consumers should also contact their physicians to see what to do about replacement medications.
Report Adverse Events
Consumers and doctors should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088. Adverse events may also be reported by mail to MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md 20852-9787. There is also a convenient place to report adverse events online: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.
Could This be Just the Tip of the Iceberg?
Obviously, while the FDA is currently issuing warnings concerning just two particular pharmacies, these kinds of problems are often like cockroaches. There usually are more hiding in the walls for every one in plain sight. Stories like this are a painful reminder that it often isn't any safer to use prescription medicines obtained from a pharmacy than drugs bought on the street.
Taking medicine should not be like playing a game of Russian roulette. Unfortunately, incidents like this only serve to clarify the fact that people who are medication-free don't have to spend sleepless nights worrying about whether or not their prescription medications are expired or counterfeit. Better still, they don't have to worry about whether or not counterfeit drugs will kill them.
About the author
Joanne Waldron is a computer scientist with a passion for writing and sharing health-related news and information with others. She hosts the Naked Wellness: The Gentle Health Revolution forum, which is devoted to achieving radiant health, well-being, and longevity.
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