Officials Investigating Fake Avastin Production

Chinese health officials and police are investigating a pharmaceutical plant, Cancer Center, hospital employees and pharmaceutical dealers for the use and production of fake Avastin that harmed 61 patients last month.

Caj Wenjun in the October 23rd edition of the Shanghai Daily reports on the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SDFA) and the Shanghai Public Security Bureau investigating a Beijing pharmaceutical plant for allegedly producing a counterfeit version of the drug Avastin.

The fake Avastin caused eye infections in 61 patients at the Shanghai No. 1 People's Hospital last month according to officials from the Shanghai Health Bureau.

Shanghai No. 1 People’s Hospital illegally treated patients with Avastin on people with eye complaints, though its key component is believed to have a positive effect on some eye conditions, it is only officially approved for treatment of certain cancer conditions.

Roche, Avastin's producer, said the drug is only approved for colorectal cancer treatment in China. It is used in the treatment of five types of cancer in the United States, but is not permitted for use on eyes.

Avastin was not officially approved for use for colorectal cancer until October 22nd nearly a month after the incident at the hospital.

According to the Shanghai Daily story:

• Local police will also investigate the Avastin case.

• The Shanghai Ruijin-AmMed Cancer Center is under suspicion as it allegedly purchased the bogus Avastin and sold it on to hospitals.

• Several employees at the cancer center, along with some pharmaceutical dealers, have been detained. The relevant head of Shanghai No.1 People's Hospital will be charged with poor management and negligence, said health bureau officials.

• Only three patients from the case remain in the hospital. Many of those discharged have received compensation.

This incident features many culprits and plenty of criminal activity. The production of dangerous fake medications, dealing in counterfeit drugs and unofficial medical treatment to name just a few.

In this incident, each member of the supply chain perpetrated some level of criminal, fraudulent and unethical behavior with the consumers suffering serious injury.

It is critical for all members of the global pharmaceutical supply chain to protect their inventories by deploying best practices, solutions and technologies to authenticate and verify the efficacy of the products that flow through their operations.

To read the entire Shanghai Daily article, visit: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=452464&type=Metro#ixzz13SEBnJZr

To learn more about pharmaceutical anti-counterfeiting technologies, visit: http://www.xstreamsystems.net/.