Serono Warns of Counterfeit Lot of AIDS-Related Weight Loss Treatment Serostim
Pharmaceutical company Serono Inc. yesterday announced that it has identified a counterfeit supply of its drug Serostim, which is used to treat unintended weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS. The company and U.S. health officials are warning patients, doctors and pharmacists that the counterfeit drugs resemble the true drug, but have the lot number MNH605A on the package. Serono and the FDA are working to find the manufacturers of the fake lot, company spokesperson Carol Castel said. The counterfeit drug was discovered when some patients reported side effects such as skin reaction after receiving injections of the mock product (Reuters, 5/17). Serono warns that patients in possession of the counterfeit drug should immediately return it to their pharmacist (Serono release, 5/17).
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