February saw a global crackdown on counterfeit pharmaceuticals, with major seizures, arrests, and warnings issued across multiple countries. Authorities in Nigeria, the U.S., Hong Kong, India, and South Africa targeted fake weight-loss drugs, cancer treatments, fentanyl-laced pills, and diverted prescription medications. From large-scale drug shop closures to legal actions against traffickers, these reports underscore the growing dangers of counterfeit medicines and the need for stronger enforcement.
1. Hong Kong Authorities Seize Suspect Weight-Loss Injections
Hong Kong’s Department of Health has warned consumers about unauthorized weight-loss injections being sold online. These counterfeit drugs pose serious health risks, and authorities are urging people to only obtain medications through licensed providers.
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2. Three Men Convicted in New Haven Counterfeit Pill and Drug Trafficking Case
Three men in New Haven were found guilty of producing and trafficking counterfeit pills laced with dangerous substances.
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3. India Flags 84 Drug Batches for Quality Failures
A shocking 84 batches of commonly used medications, including statins and diabetes drugs, have failed quality control tests in India.
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4. NAFDAC Cracks Down on Fake Drug Markets in Nigeria
Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 11,000 illegal drug shops and arrested 40 individuals for distributing counterfeit pharmaceuticals.
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5. 37 U.S. Attorneys General Demand FDA Action on Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs
State attorneys general are calling on the FDA to take stronger measures against the spread of fake weight-loss medications, which have been infiltrating online and black-market sales.
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6. Nigerian Authorities Seize Diverted HIV Drugs and Codeine Syrup
NAFDAC has uncovered a major diversion of HIV medications and codeine-based syrups into the black market, exposing critical issues in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
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7. 3,000 Illegal Drug Shops Shut Down in Lagos
Authorities in Lagos have sealed 3,000 pharmaceutical shops selling counterfeit drugs, seizing 14 truckloads of fake products.
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8. South African Police Bust Online Drug Syndicate
A major online drug operation selling illegal steroids and stimulants has been dismantled in South Africa, underscoring the rise of e-commerce-based pharmaceutical fraud.
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9. Millions of Fake Pharmaceutical Products Destroyed in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authorities in Nigeria’s Rivers State have destroyed vast amounts of counterfeit pharmaceuticals as part of their ongoing fight against illicit drugs.
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10. Roswell Park Cancer Institute Warns of Counterfeit Cancer Drugs
Patients are being warned about counterfeit cancer medications being sold online, potentially putting lives at risk. Roswell Park Cancer Institute is urging consumers to verify sources before purchasing any cancer treatment.
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11. Two Men Charged for Smuggling Counterfeit Viagra into the U.S.
A federal case in Texas has led to charges against two men accused of smuggling counterfeit Viagra pills, further highlighting the dangers of fake ED medications in circulation.
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12. Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years for Selling Counterfeit Pills
A Del Valle, Texas, man has been sentenced to a decade in prison for distributing counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills, a growing concern in the opioid epidemic.
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13. $500,000 Worth of Prescription Medicine Wasted in East Lothian, UK
Authorities in East Lothian report that over half a million dollars worth of prescription medicine was wasted in 2023-24, raising concerns about drug diversion and counterfeit circulation.
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