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Counterfeit Medicine: Key Facts Finding a Responsible Party Safer Ways to Fill Prescriptions Contact Our McAllen Lawyers Frequently Asked QuestionsTHE LAW GIANT product liability lawyers:
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U.S. officials have warned that some small pharmacies near the border sell fake pills that may contain fentanyl. When a fake or wrong medicine causes harm, finding a responsible party in the U.S. is often the key to recovery.
Call The Law Giant at 956-982-1800 or contact us online for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
Counterfeit Medicine: Key Facts
- The U.S. Embassy in Mexico warned in 2023 that counterfeit medication is common. It said fake pills sold as OxyContin, Percocet or Xanax may contain deadly doses of fentanyl, in a health alert.
- The same alert said these pills can be bought at small, non-chain pharmacies along the border. It also warned that they appear in tourist areas, in the same Embassy alert.
- About 1.4 million fentanyl pills were found in a lime shipment that crossed at the Pharr port in 2024. The shipment arrived at a McAllen warehouse, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
- The FDA says importing unapproved drugs, even for personal use, violates federal law. That statement is in the FDA’s drug center FAQ.
Finding a Responsible Party
Suing a small pharmacy in Mexico is very difficult. We look for parties in the United States, such as:
- A U.S. pharmacy or online seller that sold the product.
- A U.S. distributor or importer that brought it into Texas.
- A clinic or prescriber that recommended or supplied it.
Keep the packaging and any remaining pills. Lab testing can show what a pill actually contains.
Safer Ways to Fill Prescriptions
- Use a licensed U.S. pharmacy and ask about generic or discount programs.
- Be wary of pills sold without a prescription or at prices that seem too low.
- Do not buy pills through social media. The Embassy warned that fake pills are advertised there.
If someone becomes very drowsy or stops breathing after taking a pill, call 911 right away.
Contact Our McAllen Lawyers
Our office is at 3700 N 10th St, Suite 101, and our team speaks English and Spanish. See our McAllen product liability and defective medical device pages. For statewide rules, see our Texas dangerous drug page.
Call 956-982-1800. You pay nothing unless we win.
Common Questions
McAllen Counterfeit Medicine FAQs
Is it legal to bring medicine from Mexico?
The FDA says importing unapproved drugs, even for personal use, violates federal law, though enforcement varies.
Can I sue a pharmacy in Mexico?
It is very difficult. We look for a U.S. seller, distributor or provider who may share responsibility.
How can I tell if a pill is fake?
You often cannot tell by looking. Lab testing of remaining pills can show what they contain.
What should I do if a family member was harmed by a fake pill?
Get emergency care, keep the pills and packaging, and contact us about who supplied them.
Do you speak Spanish?
Yes. Our McAllen team speaks English and Spanish.
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