WHO sounds alert over fake liver drug being sold in India, Turkiye
The WHO alert refers to a falsified batch of liver medication, DEFITELIO (defibrotide), detected in India in April 2023 and in Turkiye in July 2023, supplied outside regulated channels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert against a fake liver medication, DEFITELIO (defibrotide), being sold in India and Turkiye.
The alert refers to a falsified batch of the drug detected in India in April 2023 and in Turkiye in July 2023, supplied outside regulated channels.
DEFITELIO is used for treating severe hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) in haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation therapy for adults, adolescents, children and infants over a month old.
The genuine manufacturer confirmed the falsified product and emphasised that DEFITELIO does not have marketing authorisation in India and Turkiye. It also issued guidelines on how to identify the fake drug.
“Genuine DEFITELIO with Lot 20G20A was packaged in German/Austrian packaging. The falsified products instead are in UK/Ireland packaging. The stated expiry date is falsified and does not comply with the registered shelf life.The stated serial number is not associated with batch 20G20A,” it said.
The WHO had previously issued an alert for the same medication in May 2020, when it was found being sold in Argentina, Australia, Latvia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
The use of falsified DEFITELIO could result in ineffective treatment and pose serious health risks.
The WHO has advised against using the fake drug and urged anyone who has used the product or experienced adverse reactions to seek immediate medical advice.