Casey Calls on FDA to Help Hospitals Deal
With Outbreak of Counterfeit Cancer Drug
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to work with Pennsylvania hospitals and healthcare providers to ensure patients in the state are not receiving a counterfeit cancer drug that has flooded the U.S. market. This week it was revealed that the cancer drug Avastin has been counterfeited and distributed throughout the U.S. The drug’s counterfeit version is missing an active ingredient that helps patients fight the disease. Currently the FDA does not know how far the drug, which is used to treat cancers of the colon, lung, kidney and brain, has been distributed. “The idea that a counterfeit cancer drug could enter the U.S. market is shocking and unacceptable,” Senator Casey said. “The FDA needs to step up right away and work with Pennsylvania’s hospitals and healthcare providers to ensure that sick patients aren’t taking this counterfeit drug. Furthermore, the FDA, the pharmaceutical industry, drug distributors, and other ...