Drug counterfeited: Viagra
Company copied: Pfizer
Years: Ongoing
Counterfeit versions of the drug Viagra, used to treat erectile dysfunction, continue to be marketed in Thailand. In 2001, Pfizer representatives purchased fake Viagra being sold online there. As part of their investigation, the Pfizer reps met with a Turkish distributor in Bangkok, pretending to want to distribute the drug. They set up two raids and discovered approximately 80,000 counterfeit tablets.
Viagra is quite popular in Thailand. In 2007, an anonymous Thai politician used the drug to buy votes during a political race. The man allegedly gave out the Viagra at election events just as rules started outlawing political bribes in Thailand. A campaigner for the People's Power Party (PPP) named Sayan Nopcha leaked the political foul play to the press. Nopcha's brother was running for office with the PPP at the time.
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Last updated June 08 2010: 4:16 PM ET