Johnson & Johnson sues to prevent “fake” HIV drugs being distributed

US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has sued pharmacies and drug distribution firms to stop them selling “fake” versions of its HIV drugs, reports Reuters. This case follows similar action from Gilead Sciences. 

Johnson & Johnson representatives reported that they had received complaints from patients who received the “wrong” pills in their prescriptions. During the investigation, it turned out that these fake vials often contained either another HIV drug or a powerful antipsychotic drug.

The defendants in this case will be the distributor firms ProPharma Distribution, Safe Chain Solutions LLC and Scripts Wholesale Inc, as well as pharmacy operator Care Pharmacy 14. Johnson & Johnson is seeking a court order prohibiting further sales of counterfeit products and damages in the amount of at least $25 million (USD) from each defendant.

Spokespeople from Johnson & Johnson said that the distribution of fake version of their antiretroviral treatments became known thanks to the Gilead Sciences lawsuit, filed in January. Among the drugs that were forged or swapped out were Symtuza, Prezcobix, Prezista and Edurant.