Counterfeit Alli Pills

FDA warns of "serious health risk" represented by counterfeit Alli pills.
On its website, CNN (1/24) reports Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, warned consumers last week that "counterfeit capsules of the diet drug Alli that are sold online can pose a serious health risk to some users." The counterfeit pills "contain excessive amounts of sibutramine, a prescription drug and controlled substance that can place people with cardiovascular disease at risk for higher blood pressure, heart attack or stroke." According to Woodcock, the FDA has received "about two dozen calls" from people complaining of heart palpitations, sleeplessness, anxiety, dry mouth, nausea and shakiness.
According to the Wall Street Journal (1/25, Dooren), FDA spokeswoman Elizabeth Miller said the agency is continuing to investigate the source of the fraudulent pills. In the meantime, drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline said they were "working closely with both the FDA and eBay to remove the fake product from auction sites" and to alert consumers about the discrepancies between the counterfeit and legitimate versions. Reuters (1/25, Richwine) and WTVY-TV Dothan, AL (1/25) also reported on this story.