Author: Alexandre Gonçalves

Source: O Estado de S. Paulo, 27/08/2008

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) yesterday determined the “seizure and destruction” of three batches of the Cialis 20 mg drug, as they are objects of counterfeiting: A172248, A231601 and A192658. Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction. The resolution was published yesterday in the Federal Official Gazette.

The company Eli Lilly, which produces the drug, did not manufacture batches with the identifications A172248 and A192658. Such codes were invented by the counterfeiters. As for batch A231601, there is a real correspondent, marketed by the company: the expiration date is June 2008. For counterfeit medicine, the validity is until March 2009.

It is not the first time that fake batches of Cialis have been seized. On May 29, Anvisa published a resolution determining, for the same reason, the withdrawal of drugs with an April 2007 manufacturing date.

In both cases, the agency reported that the sale of counterfeit lots was reported by Eli Lilly herself.

Earlier this year, French police seized 56 boxes at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris of 224 counterfeit pills of Cialis and Viagra, also for erectile dysfunction. The product came from India and would be illegally shipped to Brazil. The estimated value of the shipment was R $ 5,7 million.

WHAT TO DO

The director of Corporate Affairs at Eli Lilly, Allan Finkel, explains that most of the complaints come through the company's Customer Service (SAC). Customers are suspicious of the packaging or the pills themselves and call the company. The attendant then checks the batch, the date of manufacture and other characteristics of the remedy.

Finkel states that, in case of doubt, the customer should contact the company's SAC. The telephone number is 0800-701-0444.