Examiner.com

Fake Tamiflu Sold by Criminals for Treatment of H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms

A British security firm named Sophos added its voice on November 16th to those of health officials decrying the purchase of antiviral drugs off the internet for the treatment of H1N1 symptoms, most or all of which are fake.

How Do the Pharmacies Selling Fake Antivirals for H1N1 Symptoms work?

The security firm looked at a large network of underground web affiliates run by organized crime rings, mostly based in Russia, referred to as the Partnerka; these networks work alongside shady online pharmacies to drive business to their websites for a share of the profits.  Many of these websites brand themselves as "Canadian Pharmacy" to give them the appearance of legitimacy.  It is possible to make over $16,000 on a single site a day –more than $5.8 million in a year – and many of the affiliates on the networks work for more than one website, and some have boasted profits of more than $100,000 every day through.  

In addition to the profits of the sale of the fake drugs themselves, is the very real potential that the websites will take the personal information, like credit card numbers, and use it for other purposes.

What Supposed Swine Flu Treatments are they Selling?

However, most of the products they offer are "generic" versions of Tamiflu — Tamiflu, of course, being one of only two antiviral drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of the symptoms of H1N1 swine flu, the other being Relenza. At least one such "generic Tamiflu" purchased over the internet and tested by FDA researchers proved to be nothing more than talc powder and acetaminophen; there was nothing in it that would do anything at all against H1N1 swine flu symptoms, except perhaps lowering the fever.

What Does it All Mean?

"As there’s a very good chance the swine flu pandemic has not yet hit its peak, Sophos has issued this warning to help prevent another significant influx of cash and unwitting transfer of personal details to Partnerka affiliates," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

As the panic about H1N1 swine flu symptoms increase, he points out, we need to resist the urge to put health – and personal details – at risk online.  If you have symptoms of H1N1 swine flu and think you genuinely need antiviral medications, speak to a doctor — not some website of unknown and likely.

photo by kanonn

Related Articles:

• Have H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms? Beware false internet treatment promises - the FDA recently issued a similar warning
• Severe H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms progression and risk factors - know when you need to speak to a doctor because of symptoms of H1N1 swine flu
• What are the symptoms of swine flu? - learn about the normal H1N1 symptoms
• Top 5 simple ways to help prevent H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms - easy ways to help prevent developing H1N1 symptoms in the first place

For more on natural antivirals and ways to prevent and treat Swine Flu symptoms, be sure to read:

• Natural Ways to Prevent Swine Flu
• Natural Treatment for H1N1 Swine Flu Symptoms
• Natural ways to boost immune system health, for a broad look at natural ways to increase immunity
• Top Ten Overall Immune System Booster Foods, looking more specifically at immunity builders in the diet
• Natural Antiviral Alternatives for an overview of foods, herbs, and essential oils that have natural antiviral properties

For a touch of humor, be sure to check out these great I Survived the Swine Flu Panic t-shirts and other fine products.

To stay informed about new Natural Health articles as they happen, be sure to Subscribe to our email notifications at the top of this page, or follow the Natural Health Examiner on Twitter.