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Spring 2003 

CFIDS News
Keeping you up to date on recent events across the nation and around the world

Fake Procrit batches found in Florida

The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that it has discovered three counterfeit, possibly contaminated lots of the drug Procrit, also known as epoetin alfa.

The drug is used in people with severe anemia to stimulate the production of red blood cells in the human body — and studies are underway to test its effectiveness against CFIDS.

The FDA’s criminal investigative unit found the illegally manufactured drug lots in Florida. Some of the drugs may be contaminated with bacteria, and the FDA reports that they pose a “significant potential hazard to consumers.” In addition, some of the counterfeit drug contains no active ingredients.

The company that produces Procrit, Ortho Biotech Products, has issued a warning letter to more than 180,000 health care providers who may prescribe the drug to patients.

Additional details concerning the counterfeit product are available on Ortho’s website at http://www.procrit.com/counterfeit/letter.html. Patients who use Procrit are advised to check with their doctors about their drug supply.

Insurer fined $1 million for claims practices

The state of Georgia has fined UnumProvident, the nation’s largest long-term disability (LTD) insurer, $1 million for unfair denial of insurance claims.

“They were systematically looking for any shred of data or excuse to deny a policy,” state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine told USA Today. “They are going to be required to maintain a certain level of fundamental fairness.”

The company has been under fire nationwide for more than two years over its claims practices. Two other states, California and Florida, also are investigating UnumProvident, and at least two class-action lawsuits have been filed against the company.

Georgia has placed Unum-Provident on two years probation in the state. Oxendine says the company must change its practice of allowing lesser-trained claims processors to overrule health care professionals, and must do a better job of informing policyholders of their rights to appeal.

UnumProvident has accepted the terms of the Georgia order and said it will work to become a “more service-oriented company.” The firm has more than 25 million policyholders in the United States.

CFIDS costs in UK mainly from lost income

British researchers say that each adult with CFIDS costs the nation more than $1,800 per month in lost wages and medical expenses. The figure was derived after a three-month study done by King’s College in London. The researchers report that lost salary accounts for more than 90 percent of the monthly total. The study was published in the February issue of Psychological Medicine.