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Cofepris warns of pirated cancer drug hitting shelves

Cozumel, Q.R. — The Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks is alerting citizens of Cozumel about the falsification of the product Herceptin, which is used for the treatment of breast and advanced gastric cancer.

La Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios (Cofepris) says that Herceptin (Trastuzumab) 440 mg is manufactured by Roche SA de CV with sanitary registration number 202M2000 SSA IV and is an adulterated product.

Head of Cozumel Cofepris, Viridiana Alcérreca Rocha, said that after the complaint filed by Roche Laboratories, the agency issued a general alert for residents and pharmacies for the withdrawal of this drug that was detected as a pirate.

She explained that the pirated Herceptin drug has many irregularities, one of which is to not provide the necessary legal information on the label.

“By not having a legal record of authority, Cofepris considers it a high risk consumption product, since the sanitary conditions and the quality of its ingredients used during its manufacture are unknown,” said Alcérreca Rocha.

Therefore, she urges citizens, pharmacies and clinics of the city to avoid its consumption and sale, as it can generate a risk for patients and a legal consequences for professionals.