Bogus bird-flu drugs flood the Internet

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Liz Ditz <ponytrax () batnet com>
Date: January 3, 2006 1:10:42 PM EST
To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Bogus bird-flu drugs flood the Internet

for IP if you wish:
lede

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/13538069.htm

Bogus bird-flu drugs flood the Internet
HUNDREDS OF DOSES OF FAKE TAMIFLU SEIZED IN SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
By Steve Johnson
Mercury News

In a trend federal authorities call scary, the Internet suddenly is  
awash with bogus drugs to counter a possible bird-flu pandemic,  
including counterfeit Tamiflu -- the highly sought-after antiviral  
agent developed by Gilead Sciences of Foster City.

Hundreds of fake Tamiflu pills sold to U.S. consumers by Asian online  
entrepreneurs have been seized in South San Francisco over the past  
month, most recently on Wednesday. They are the first such  
counterfeits detected in this country.

The week before, the Food & Drug Administration sent warning letters  
to nine Internet marketers it accused of peddling other phony  
remedies. Most were dietary supplements that, among other things,  
claimed to kill the bird-flu virus or provide ``a natural virus  
shield.''

``These are people who are preying on the heightened concerns of  
people,'' said David Elder, who directs the FDA's Office of  
Enforcement. ``It's sad.''

rest at


http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/13538069.htm



**********
Liz Ditz
ponytrax () batnet com

blog: http://lizditz.typepad.com

Success: fall down seven times, stand up eight.



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