United States Food and Drug Administration sent a warning letter to drug distributor McKesson over the company's alleged illegitimate shipments, marking a first step in its fight against the opioid epidemic, CNBC reported on Tuesday. The FDA said McKesson replaced opioids with other products in the shipment process on three instances, which was discovered in pharmacies.
"A distributor's failure to have systems in place to investigate and quarantine suspect and illegitimate products within their control is a violation of the law. But this is even more concerning given that we're in the midst of a widespread opioid crisis," FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stated. He pointed out that flaws in opioid supply chains could result in illicit trade of the substance or that patients in need may not receive the prescribed drug.
McKesson shares traded 1.09% in the negative territory following the news.
