Information Update

2006-57
July 12, 2006
For immediate release

Counterfeit Product Linked to Death of Ontario Horse

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising horse owners to check a veterinary drug, Hippiron 1000, as a counterfeit version has been found on the market. This counterfeit product may be linked to the death of a horse in Ontario and serious reactions in two other horses.

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc, a Canadian company, manufactures the drug Hippiron 1000. This drug is an iron-sucrose product that is administered by intravenous injection to treat iron deficiency in horses (equine anaemia). The company issued a warning to its customers on June 5, 2006.

Bioniche sells Hippiron 1000 exclusively to veterinarians. Any Hippiron 1000 that has not been purchased from a veterinarian or veterinary clinic should not be used. Health Canada also advises Canadians to contact the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate at 1-800-267-9675 if they believe they have a counterfeit version of this product.

Counterfeiting is a criminal activity that is handled by law enforcement authorities such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Health Canada provides advice regarding contraventions of the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and also provides support to investigations undertaken by law enforcement.

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Media Inquiries:
Paul Duchesne
Health Canada
(613) 954-4807

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709