VINELAND, ON, May 31, 2024 /CNW/ -
- Product: Counterfeit Viagra, 100 mg sildenafil tablets; Counterfeit Cialis, 20 mg tadalafil tablets
- Issue: Health products - Product safety, Unauthorized product
- What to do: Immediately stop using and safely dispose of these products. Consult your health care provider if you have taken either product and have health concerns. Only buy your prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies. Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada.
- Counterfeit Viagra, 100 mg sildenafil tablets. Lot "R 1023338413" and "EXP 06 2026" is printed on the foil blister pack.
- Counterfeit Cialis, 20 mg tadalafil tablets. "Lot: 5668" and "EXP:04 2028" is printed on the foil blister pack.
Health Canada has seized counterfeit Viagra and Cialis from a Petro Canada gas station in Vineland, Ontario (4608 Victoria Ave.). This is in addition to several other unauthorised sexual enhancement products seized from the same store.
The counterfeit drugs were sold in individual blister packs with no other packaging. Authorized Viagra and Cialis are usually sold with an outer carton and a leaflet outlining the directions for use.
Health Canada has confirmed with the authorized manufacturers of Viagra and Cialis that the seized products are counterfeit and that the lot and expiry numbers on the blister packs are not valid.
Counterfeit drugs are made to look like authentic products, but they are not the same and they may not contain the drug at all. They can pose serious health risks if they contain a higher dosage than shown on the label, and could contain contaminants and hidden ingredients. Unlike authorized and authentic drug products, counterfeit drugs have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness, and quality. Selling counterfeit health products is illegal.
Like the authentic versions, the seized products are labelled to contain either the prescription drug sildenafil or tadalafil. Sildenafil and tadalafil should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. They should not be used by individuals taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerin) as they can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure. Individuals with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure, and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision, and hearing loss.
Health Canada reminds consumers that the best way to make sure their prescription drugs are authentic is to buy them from a licensed pharmacy. Moreover, prescription drugs should be taken only under the advice and supervision of a health care professional because they are used to treat specific health conditions and may cause serious side effects. Prescription drugs can only be legally sold to consumers in Canada with a prescription and cannot be sold in convenience stores.
For more information regarding Health Canada's approach to counterfeit health products please consult Health Canada's Policy on Counterfeit Health Products.
- Immediately stop using and safely dispose of this product. Consult your health care provider if you have taken this product and have health concerns. Only buy your prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies.
- Buy only authorized health products. Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching Health Canada's Drug Product Database and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
- Report any health product-related side effects or complaints to Health Canada.
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SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
Media Inquiries: Health Canada, (613) 957-2983, [email protected]; Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991, 1-866 225-0709, [email protected]
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