Chemical analyses of the vials showed the fakes lack the API (active pharmaceutical ingredient). The counterfeit vials are neither safe nor effective, Genentech said, and should not be used by patients.
Vials of Avastin 400mg/16mL with lot numbers B86017, B6011, and B6010 could be counterfeits. The packaging of the fakes is a poor copy of the genuine product and as such the vials are easy to spot.
“Roche and Genentech have implemented various approaches to combat counterfeiting that include…implementing special packaging and printing techniques that make counterfeits both more difficult to make and easier to spot”, the companies said.