A network of drug distributors and suppliers sold tampered and counterfeit versions of its HIV treatments worth $250 million to pharmacies over the last two years, according to Gilead Sciences Inc.
In August, the drugmaker said distributors not authorized by Gilead to sell its HIV treatments, Biktarvy and Descovy, have sold counterfeits to pharmacies where genuine Gilead bottles have been tampered with a counterfeit foil induction seal or label, and contain incorrect tablets.
A Gilead spokesman said on Tuesday that after being informed of the distribution of counterfeit Gilead HIV medication, the federal law enforcement authorities, including the FDA, as well as dispensing pharmacies, and then took direct and urgent legal action.
Gilead said the distributors, against whom it had filed a lawsuit, sold 85,247 bottles of counterfeit HIV drugs.