Baltimore Pharmacy Recall: Expired and Counterfeit Drugs Sold

According to the FDA, two pharmacies in Baltimore, Maryland could have been selling expired or counterfeit medications. People who filled prescriptions at The Medicine Shoppe pharmacy located at 5900 Reisterstown Road or 8035A Liberty Road in Baltimore City might have purchased these drugs, and could be at risk of serious and potentially life-threatening problems.

The suspected medications involved in the Baltimore pharmacy recall include:

• Anti-inflammatory drug: Diclofenac Sodium (30 mg)
• Breast cancer drug: Tamoxifen Citrate (10 mg)
• Cough medication: Guaifenesin/Dextromethorphan (600 mg and 1000 mg)
• Diabetes drugs: Glucophage (500 mg Extended Release), Glucovance (125 mg and 500 mg), Glipizide/Metformin (2.50 mg and 250 mg), Metformin HCl ER (500 mg)
• Diuretics: Furosemide (20 mg)
• Epilepsy medication: Gabapentin (100 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg)
• Hypertension drugs: Lisinopril (20 mg), Metoprolol (50 mg), Nifedipine (30 mg)
• Osteoporosis drug: Calcitriol (0.25 micrograms)

Some of these drugs belong to a group of drugs known as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are used to treat congestive heart failure and high blood pressure (hypertension), and to improve chances of survival after a heart attack. Other drugs like Glucovance and Glucophage are used to treat type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Information about the recall was posted on the FDA website on August 8, 2008. The drug regulatory agency expressed serious concerns about the sale of expired or fake drugs, since many of these medications are used to treat serious diseases. If the medications are not effective in treating the condition for which they were prescribed, or if the user experiences a reaction to the drugs, they could suffer severe adverse health consequences.

The FDA has advised individuals who filled prescriptions at either of the two Baltimore pharmacy locations to contact their doctor immediately to obtain new prescriptions. Also, consumers who have any of the above listed prescription drugs should call the FDA at 800-521-5783 for further information about disposal of the drugs.

Baltimore personal injury lawyers, who are reviewing potential cases for individuals who suffered injuries as a result of the expired or counterfeit drugs, have recommended that any unused pills or remaining packaging should be preserved until after a decision has been about whether to pursue a pharmacy malpractice lawsuit. If the pills are not disposed of, they should be properly marked and stored so that they are not taken while a potential case is being investigated.

The pharmacy recall only applies to the two locations of The Medicine Shoppe on Liberty Road and Reisterstown Road in Baltimore City. No other Baltimore pharmacies or other locations of the Medicine Shoppe throughout the state have been associated with this recall.