Thursday, November 16, 2006

Didn't know pills were fake, insists pharmacist

Interesting testimony in the Norvascgate trial. I've spent some time in retail pharmacy, and it's always been my experience that the only companies that would ever offer volume price breaks are the generic companies. The brand name companies simply don't do it because they don't have to. There is no competition on a patented drug with no generics available. The only scenario where I can see a brand name company offering a price deal is when they are vying for a place on a hospital formulary. In this situation, they would be competing against other drugs within their class and price may be a consideration for one of those coveted spots.

I think this pharmacist is either incredibly naive or we're not hearing the whole story.

From the Hamilton Spectator:
Accused Hamilton pharmacist Abadir Nasr admits he purchased counterfeit drugs, but says he did not know the cardiovascular medication was fake at the time.

In an affidavit filed in court, Nasr, 29, told the Ontario College of Pharmacists that between January and June 2005 he purchased Norvasc in 5-milligram and 10-milligram strength from a man who identified himself as Ali Hussein, a drug wholesaler from Vancouver. ...more

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