University of OtagoThursday 25 February 2010, 1:35PM
Media release from University of Otago
It is becoming increasingly common for people to purchase
prescription medicines through the internet, but this can be
dangerous, according to University of Otago academics Dr Clare
Strachan and Professor Pauline Norris.
Their comments follow an analysis of samples of medicines by a team
of fourth-year students from the University of Otago and staff and
students from the School of Pharmacy at the University of
Auckland.
The medicines had been intercepted at the New Zealand border by
Medsafe border control staff.
The students analysed the contents of two of the most commonly
purchased medicines on the internet, including tadalafil (for
erectile dysfunction) and sibutramine (for weight loss).
They found some tablets were misshapen and others were
mouldy.
"What was particularly concerning was that some tablets which
looked acceptable and genuine were counterfeit and contained only
40 per cent of the stated amount of active ingredient," says Dr
Strachan.