Swiss customs intercept 1m fake Xanax pills

Staff reporter, 20-Oct-2013

Around a million counterfeit psychotropic tablets have been intercepted in Switzerland by customs officers at Zurich airport.

The fakes - which were made to resemble Pfizer's Xanax (alprazolam) used to treat anxiety and panic disorder - were found on testing by national drugs regulator Swissmedic to contain no active pharmaceutical ingredient (API).

They were discovered in four shipping crates en route from China to Egypt and - according to the agency - "would be unrecognisable as counterfeits at a first glance".

Swissmedic immediately informed international authorities, in particular the Egyptian and Chinese health authorities. At the same time, Swissmedic initiated administrative proceedings and ordered the destruction of the drugs.

"No patients in Switzerland are affected by this development," said Swissmedic. "All medicines obtained via legal means (from pharmacies, doctors and hospitals) are safe, effective and of good quality."

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Staff reporter

20-Oct-2013

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Building a new brand is one of the most exciting things any business can do, but all too often that hard work will be undermined by bad actors who will try to cash in on that hard work. Sadly, most companies will experience a problem with counterfeits at some point and, for smaller firms, it can affect their ability to survive.

Here at SecuringIndustry.com, we are always ready to hear about the problems fakes pose to brand owners and are especially interested in the ways businesses rise to the challenge.

If you can share your experiences, do let us know at newsdesk@securingindustry.com.

Do you have an important story about counterfeiting to tell?

Building a new brand is one of the most exciting things any business can do, but all too often that hard work will be undermined by bad actors who will try to cash in on that hard work. Sadly, most companies will experience a problem with counterfeits at some point and, for smaller firms, it can affect their ability to survive.

Here at SecuringIndustry.com, we are always ready to hear about the problems fakes pose to brand owners and are especially interested in the ways businesses rise to the challenge.

If you can share your experiences, do let us know at newsdesk@securingindustry.com.

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Swiss customs intercept 1m fake Xanax pills

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Do you have an important story about counterfeiting to tell?

Here at SecuringIndustry.com, we are always ready to hear about the problems fakes pose to brand owners and are especially interested in the ways businesses rise to the challenge.

If you can share your experiences, do let us know at newsdesk@securingindustry.com.

Sponsored Content

Do you have an important story about counterfeiting to tell?

Here at SecuringIndustry.com, we are always ready to hear about the problems fakes pose to brand owners and are especially interested in the ways businesses rise to the challenge.

If you can share your experiences, do let us know at newsdesk@securingindustry.com.

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