The FDA approved an over-the-counter weight-loss pill (Alli) which is now found to be counterfeit. The active ingredient said to be in this product was orlistat, which was not found in the pills. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent out a warning and now doctors in the Capital have issued a further warning.
The imitation product contained sibutramine which should not be in any over-the-counter drugs. The drug is said to be available for purchase over the Internet which makes the potentially dangerous drug widely available.
The counterfeit and the original and legitimate product look similar with just a few differences on the packaging. The authentic Alli product has packaging with the expiration date including only the month and the year, while the counterfeit includes the day as well as the month and year of expiry. The second prominent difference is the size of the bottle the counterfeit Alli is in compared to the genuine Alli product. The phony Alli bottle has a taller and wider cap than the valid product. The last notable difference in the 2 products is the safety seal. The counterfeits inner safety seal has no words on it while the real product says “Sealed for your protection”.
Please be aware and look for these differences if you are considering purchasing this product. Check with your doctor to be sure that this product is for you.
