Counterfeit HIV Medications Discovered in New York Pharmacy Prompt Public Health Warning

The Partnership for Safe Medicines and ADAP Advocacy Association have issued a warning about counterfeit HIV medications discovered in New York following a complaint against City Plus Care Pharmacy Inc., operating as Heal The World Pharmacy. The complaint alleges the Queens pharmacy dispensed fake bottles of Biktarvy, a critical HIV medication, to a patient, raising fears of wider counterfeit drug distribution networks that threaten public health. According to the complaint, the counterfeit medications featured professional-quality packaging that made them difficult to distinguish from genuine products, suggesting sophisticated operations that could allow fake drugs to infiltrate broader supply chains.

Shabbir Safdar, Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that substantiated allegations would represent a breakdown in the drug supply chain risking many lives. The implications of counterfeit HIV medications are particularly dire since authentic medications, when taken as prescribed, can render the virus undetectable and untransmissible—a cornerstone of modern HIV treatment and prevention. Counterfeit versions may fail to suppress the virus, leading to disease progression, viral resistance, and increased transmission risk. Brandon M. Macsata, CEO of ADAP Advocacy Association, described the situation as a terrifying betrayal of trust for the HIV community, highlighting the life-and-death stakes involved.

The complaint calls for immediate regulatory action including inspections of Heal The World Pharmacy's facilities and review of its pharmaceutical suppliers. It urges the New York State Board of Pharmacy to investigate potential violations of federal and state drug safety and traceability laws, with advocates pushing for adverse findings to be referred to the New York Attorney General's Office and FDA's Office of Drug Security and Office of Criminal Investigations. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in safeguarding drug supply chains against counterfeit medications. For information on combating counterfeit drugs, visit https://www.safemedicines.org. The discovery serves as a critical reminder of the importance of vigilance at every supply chain step to protect patients from harm.