Counterfeit versions of Viagra tablets containing the active ingredient,
sildenafil citrate, are being sold by some individuals acting as
agents, in streets close to CDSCO office in Chennai. The brand name of
the counterfeit product is ‘Vega 100’.
An individual who obtained
a strip of four tablets said the selling agent had claimed that the
drug was an imported product and not available in pharmacy shops in
Chennai. The cost of the strip of four tablets is Rs.
800, as demanded by the agent. The person said a manufacturing license
number beginning with the letters ‘TN’ was written on the strip.
According
to him, the strip contains no address of manufacturing company, but the
dates of manufacturing and expiry are mentioned on it. It shows that
the drug contains sildenafil 100 mg as the main ingredient. Some of the
strips sold are date-expired, the person added.
The agents also
give advice to the buyers of the counterfeit regarding precautions and
dietary systems. The agents are reportedly telling the customers that
one tablet would be enough for a period of three months and the drug
will start acting within two hours of consuming it. The manufacturing
license number printed on the strip is TN 0000558.