PSA

Health Canada wants you not to be a sucker this Christmas.

Advisory
2005-137
December 23, 2005
For immediate release

Health Canada advises consumers be cautious when buying Tamiflu online

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising consumers to be cautious if buying the prescription drug Tamiflu over the Internet and to avoid any products claiming to be "generic" Tamiflu, as there are no authorized generic versions of the antiviral on the market.

According to recent reports from the U.K., numerous websites, including two Canadian sites, have been selling illegal Tamiflu to U.K. customers. Other reports indicate the U.S. Customs Border Patrol has intercepted more than 50 shipments of counterfeit Tamiflu at their border. Health Canada and the RCMP are currently looking into these reports.

As with any medication purchased online, consumers should only buy Tamiflu with a prescription from a doctor they know, using a pharmacy where they have an established relationship.

Consumers concerned they may have received counterfeit drugs should consult with a pharmacist, their physician or the company who manufactures the drug. Once the drug is confirmed as counterfeit, the consumer should contact the RCMP. Counterfeiting pharmaceuticals is a criminal activity that poses serious risks to the health and safety of Canadians. The RCMP will conduct a criminal investigation of any Canadian businesses involved in this illegal activity.

Canadians with questions or complaints about drugs purchased over the Internet can call Health Canada's toll-free line at 1-800-267-9675.

I love my country, but I wish the Internet pharmacies would just go away...

Attention Body and Soul readers

Readers of Jeanne D'Arc's wonderful Body and Soul may know already (or not -- it's a busy time of year) that her computer recently died, and as a result she was planning to give up the blog.

Mass outcry resulted. I'm happy to tell you that she has now put up a PayPal tip jar (look in the top left corner) for donations. (I'm also taking credit for the idea as I was the first commenter to suggest it.)

Jeanne is not the most frequent poster, but she is unfailingly insightful, gracious, and wise. If you would miss her too, and if you can afford it, do kick in a little something for this very good cause. Hey, it's not the most conventional Christmas gift, but why not?