Fake Viagra, Cialis Seizure in Ontario Exposes Grave Health Risks

OTTAWA, ON – January 09, 2026 – A significant public health alert has been issued across Southern Ontario after Health Canada seized counterfeit versions of the popular prescription drugs Cialis and Viagra from a distributor in Mississauga. The federal department is warning consumers of potentially life-threatening risks associated with the fake medications and has launched an investigation into a supply chain breach that allowed these illegal products to reach regional retailers.

The seizure, which took place at Bitco Distribution, has cast a harsh spotlight on the persistent and dangerous trade of counterfeit pharmaceuticals in Canada. The unauthorized products, confirmed as fake by their legitimate manufacturers, were being distributed to an unknown number of retail locations across a wide swath of the province, including the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, and the Waterloo region.

A Potentially Lethal Deception

The seized products are counterfeit Cialis, labeled as 20 mg tadalafil tablets (lot: 05668, expiry April 2028), and counterfeit Viagra, labeled as 100 mg sildenafil tablets (lot: 07R0064A, expiry March 1, 2026). Health Canada has urged anyone who may have purchased these specific products to “immediately stop using and safely dispose of the products.”

Counterfeit drugs are illegal because they have not been assessed by Health Canada for safety, quality, or efficacy. They pose a serious danger because their contents are unknown and unregulated. These illicitly manufactured pills could contain no active ingredient, a much higher and more dangerous dosage than indicated, or hazardous contaminants like heavy metals and other undeclared substances.

Even if the fake pills contain the correct active ingredients, sildenafil and tadalafil, these are prescription drugs that require medical supervision for a reason. They can cause severe side effects and dangerous interactions with other medications. Specifically, they should never be used by individuals taking any form of nitrate drug, such as nitroglycerin for heart conditions, as the combination can trigger a sudden and potentially fatal drop in blood pressure.

“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,” Health Canada stated in its advisory. Other known side effects include severe headaches, facial flushing, indigestion, dizziness, and in some cases, abnormal vision or hearing loss. The risks are magnified when the dosage is unknown or inconsistent, as is common with counterfeit products.

A Breach in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

The incident raises serious questions about the security of Canada's pharmaceutical supply chain. The seizure occurred not at a border crossing or from an illicit online seller, but from a distributor, Bitco Distribution, operating within the country. This suggests a significant vulnerability that counterfeiters have successfully exploited to infiltrate the commercial market.

Compounding the problem, Health Canada noted that Bitco Distribution was “unable to identify the retail locations that received the counterfeit products.” This critical gap in traceability means that dangerous fakes could be sitting on shelves in various retail outlets, with owners and customers completely unaware of the threat. The lack of a clear public profile or corporate footprint for Bitco Distribution further complicates the investigation into how these products entered its inventory.

The sophistication of the counterfeiters is another cause for alarm. The seized Viagra packaging included a National Drug Code (NDC), a unique identifier used for drugs in the United States. This detail suggests a deliberate and calculated attempt to make the product appear legitimate to retailers and distributors who may not be equipped to spot such forgeries. Despite this deceptive labeling, the authentic manufacturer confirmed the product was counterfeit.

This seizure is not an isolated event but a symptom of a larger, ongoing battle against a multi-billion dollar global counterfeit drug industry. Erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra and Cialis are among the most frequently counterfeited medications due to high demand and the reluctance of some consumers to seek a prescription through conventional medical channels.

Your Prescription, Your Protection

In the face of this threat, health officials are reinforcing a simple but critical message for consumers: the only way to ensure the safety and authenticity of a prescription medication is to purchase it from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription from a healthcare professional.

“Prescription drugs cannot be sold outside of a licensed pharmacy and should only be taken under the care of a health care professional because they are used to treat specific health conditions and may cause serious side effects,” Health Canada advises. The allure of cheaper prices or the convenience of buying online from unverified sources comes with an unacceptably high risk.

Consumers are encouraged to be vigilant. Signs of a fake product can include poor-quality packaging, spelling errors, or prices that seem too good to be true. If there is any doubt about the legitimacy of a pharmacy, especially an online one, individuals should contact the pharmacy regulatory authority in their province or territory for verification.

Health Canada is asking anyone who has used these counterfeit products and has health concerns to consult a physician, nurse, or pharmacist immediately. The department also relies on public reporting to track and combat these dangerous products. Canadians can report any health product-related adverse reactions or complaints directly to Health Canada, contributing to a safer marketplace for everyone.