FDA warns public vs fake antibiotics

MANILA, Philippines – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned the public against the proliferation of fake antibiotics for the treatment of infection among children.

In an advisory, the FDA reminded the public to be cautious in purchasing clarithromycin (Klaricid) 250 mg/5 mL granules suspension in fruit punch flavor.

“Be vigilant of the said counterfeit drug since it poses danger to the consuming public,” it said.

The FDA said Abbott Laboratories, marketing authorization holder of the registered product, confirmed that Klaricid is fake.

Compared to the authentic drug, the counterfeit product has different text labels, poor printing quality, wrong manufacturer and distributor names.

The FDA said laboratory analysis of the fake drug showed that it does not contain the active ingredient clarithromycin.

It said the counterfeit drug has invalid lot details, no printed caution statement and without yellow ribbon to indicate correct volume as well as different paper material for the package insert. The FDA has ordered its field officers to confiscate the unregistered drug product found in the market.

Local government units and law enforcement agencies were asked to ensure that the product is not sold in their areas.

The FDA said healthcare professionals should not prescribe Klaricid to their patients. The importation, distribution or sale of any counterfeit product is strictly prohibited, it added.