UK authorities, Pfizer Recall New Lot of Counterfeit Lipitor
by Marie-Eve Laforte  -- August 03, 2006

The MHRA reported Thursday that a batch of counterfeit Lipitor was found in the pharmaceutical supply chain in the UK . The agency, in conjunction with Pfizer, is recalling a new lot of the product.

"This is the third time that a Pfizer medicine has been targeted, after the two previous incidents related to the discovery of the same batch of counterfeit Lipitor in the last year," commented Olivier Brandicourt, Pfizer's UK managing director, as reported in The Scotsman. Brandicourt called for "the MHRA and law enforcement agencies to conduct a full and thorough investigation into this incident and the general vulnerability of the medicines supply chain."

In a statement, MHRA's head of enforcement, Danny Lee-Frost, noted: "The testing of the counterfeit product indicates that there is no immediate risk to patients, but because it is a counterfeit we cannot guarantee its quality." UK authorities previously issued recalls in July 2005 and last month for a different lot number of Pfizer's drug.

Pfizer has indicated that measures have already been taken "to protect the integrity of its medicines, including the phased introduction of tamper-evident packaging," Times Online reports. Meanwhile, the regulatory agency is said to be preparing an "anti-counterfeiting" strategy that is "aimed at criminals importing, distributing and supplying fake drugs."

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