Viagra maker cracks down on counterfeit sales

Found on CNet News on Tuesday, 03 August 2004
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Pfizer, the maker of Viagra, has launched a legal battle against dozens of online pharmacies that sell counterfeit or illegal generic versions of its drug.

The company on Tuesday also announced an advertising campaign to educate consumers on how to avoid deceptive Web sites, safely purchase Viagra online, and minimize Viagra-related spam.

The drug giant is suing five companies and individuals--Oriontech, You Save RX, CNR International, Charles William Naron and Doug Hollenbeck--alleging violation of state and federal trademark rules and unfair competition laws.

The company is working with the Department of Justice, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration to prosecute counterfeiters. Pfizer said that while some Web sites sell generic Viagra, the FDA has not approved a generic version of the drug.

Well that sure is a honourable step, but considering that the Internet is a worldwide net, I doubt it will be as effective as planned. It just takes a handful of spammers and dealers in foreign countries and everything is back to normal (except that we might receive spam with more errors. But honestly: who cares about correct grammar in spam?).