Fake Viagra found in Australia's legitimate supply chain

Counterfeits of Pfizer's erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) have been encountered for the first time in the pharmacy/wholesale supply chain in Australia, according to the country's regulatory authority.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration said in a statement today that the counterfeit product is labelled as 100mg tablets in packs of four, carrying the batch number 314833021 and an expiry date of 04 2012. Pharmacies across Australia have been advised to quarantine stocks of this batch to prevent any further distribution.

"To date there is no evidence that the product is harmful," said the TGA, which has analysed a number of the counterfeit tablets and found that sildenafil is present but not in the correct dose. It also cautions that other products from the batch may have a different composition.

Almost 800 packs of the counterfeit have been intercepted in New South Wales and Victoria states, according to a Bloomberg report. It is not known how many others remain in circulation. 

The TGA says it is now working "urgently" to identify the route by which the fakes entered the legitimate supply chain. To date counterfeit Viagra has only been seen coming into Australia via Internet sales channels.