Health Canada/Information Update: Counterfeit Viagra Found on the Montreal Market

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 29, 2010) - Health Canada is informing Canadians that Marché Euromix, a retail store in Pierrefonds (Montréal), was found to be selling a health product that was not authorized for sale by Health Canada and that closely resembled in appearance an authorized drug, Viagra. As such, Health Canada worked with the Canadian licensee of Viagra, Pfizer Canada Inc., to confirm that Marché Euromix's product was not Viagra and can therefore be considered to be counterfeit.

In response to a complaint by a consumer concerning the sale of unauthorized health products by Marché Euromix, Health Canada inspected this retail store. It is important to note that unauthorized and counterfeit health products can pose serious risks to health as they have not been reviewed by Health Canada for safety, quality, or efficacy.

Marché Euromix has reported that they are no longer selling this product, or any other unauthorized prescription drug products. Should Health Canada become aware of continued sales by Marché Euromix of counterfeit or any other unauthorized health products that may pose a risk to Canadians, immediate and appropriate action will be taken.

There is a risk that counterfeit health products may be represented as or may be mistaken for other health products that Health Canada has authorized for sale. In addition, counterfeit products may contain ingredients not listed on the label, dangerous additives and microbial contamination. In addition they may lack the active ingredients Canadians would expect them to contain. For all of these reasons, they could cause serious side effects.

Canadians with questions or complaints about counterfeit drugs can call Health Canada's toll-free line at 1-800-267-9675.

To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/report-declaration/ar-ei_form-eng.php) and send to us using one of these methods:

Fax: 1-866-678-6789
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
Mail: Canada Vigilance Program
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701C
K1A 0K9