Health Canada warns of fake Viagra and Cialis distributed in southern Ontario

The federal health agency said the fake Cialis (20 mg tadalafil tablets) and Viagra (100 mg sildenafil tablets) were at Bitco Distribution in Mississauga. (Source: Health Canada)

Health Canada has issued a warning to the public after seizing counterfeit Viagra and Cialis tablets that may have been distributed to retailers across southern Ontario, including the Region of Waterloo.

The federal health agency said the fake Cialis (20 mg tadalafil tablets) and Viagra (100 mg sildenafil tablets) were at Bitco Distribution in Mississauga.

While the company was unable to identify the specific retail locations that received the products, Health Canada believed the distribution was limited to retailers in southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Mississauga, Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Waterloo.

The Cialis tablets had an expiry date of April 2028 and lot number 05668, while the Viagra tablets had an expiry date of Mar. 1, 2026, lot number 07R0064A and National Drug Code 0069-4220-30.

“Although the Viagra products include a National Drug Code (NDC), which might lead retailers to believe that this product was authorized in the United States, the manufacturer has confirmed that the product is counterfeit,” the advisory read, in part.

“The manufacturer of Cialis has also confirmed that the seized product is counterfeit.”

Selling fake health products in Canada is illegal. The agency warned they are designed to look like authentic products but may pose serious health risks as they have not been assessed for safety, efficacy or quality. The counterfeit pills might also contain no active drug, higher dosages than what’s listed on the label or include dangerous contaminants.

“Like the authentic version, the counterfeit products are labelled to contain the prescription drug sildenafil or tadalafil,” the advisory explained.

“Sildenafil and tadalafil should be used only under the supervision of a health care professional. They should not be used by people taking any kind of nitrate drug (e.g., nitroglycerin) as they can cause potentially life-threatening low blood pressure,” it said.

“People with heart problems are at increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Other possible side effects include headache, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, abnormal vision and hearing loss.”

Health Canada urges anyone who purchased or used these products to immediately stop using them and throw them away. Anyone experiencing health concerns after taking the pills should consult a health care professional.

Health Canada also encourages the public to report any adverse reactions to health-related products, or complaints, to the agency.