The Wall Street Journal (5/30, Rockoff, Dooren, Subscription Publication) reports that the Food and Drug Administration is warning that a fake version of Adderall (amphetamine, dextroamphetamine mixed salts) is being sold on the Internet.
The AP (5/30) reports that the agency “says the product purports to be 30-milligram Adderall tablets, but it does not contain the right ingredients. The pills contain the pain drugs tramadol and acetaminophen instead.”
The Boston Globe (5/30, Kotz) reports that the agency, in a media statement, said, “Consumers should be extra cautious when buying their medicines from online sources.” According to the FDA, “Rogue websites and distributors may especially target medicines in short supply for counterfeiting.”
The Los Angeles Times (5/30, Maugh) “Booster Shots” blog reports, “The phony medication can be easily detected. The package label contains several misspellings: ‘NDS’ instead of ‘NDC,’ ‘Aspartrte’ instead of ‘Aspartate,’ and ‘Singel’ instead of ‘Single.'”
Additionally, the NPR (5/30, Knox) “Shots” blog reports, the fake pills are “white instead of peachy-pink. They’re smooth, with none of the markings of the real 30-milligram tablets — the highest dose.” Meanwhile, “they may come in blister packs, while real Adderall is sold only in 100-count bottles.” Reuters (5/30, Yukhananov) also covers the story.
Related Links:
— “FDA Warns About Fakes of ADHD Drug Adderall,”Jonathan D. Rockoff , The Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2012.