Wed. July 23, 2003
Chicago, IL -
Three days after 365Gay.com first reported on indictments (365Gay.com story) in a massive fraud involving fake and watered down AIDS drugs police say some of the phony medication may have reached unwitting pharmacies.
State officials Wednesday issued a warning to druggists to check their supplies of Neupogen, Gammagard and Epogen.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, said there was no way to be completely sure that all the fake and diluted medication had been seized from the network of distributors.
"I know through the course of this investigation that tainted drugs are out there on the market someplace," said Michael Mann, chief of investigations for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
"I think it's an extremely small percentage but even a small percentage is too much."
Two of the state's biggest drug chains, Walgreens and Eckerd, moved quickly following the announcement to reassure customers.
Spokespersons for both chains said their stores throughout the state had checked their inventories and found no imitation drugs.
They stressed that the vast majority of their medications are supplied directly from manufacturers and not independent dealers.
Monday 19 people were indicted on racketeering charges in connection with the scam. Police seized $18 million worth of tainted drugs during the investigation.
by Fidel Ortega
365Gay.com Newscenter
Miami Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2003
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