240,000 tablets of Preductal 35 mg (in Italy Vastarel), a counterfeit drug for the treatment of angina pectoris, were seized by the Guardia di Finanza and the Cargo Anti-Fraud Service of the Fiumicino airport (Rome). The consignment, which came from India, reportedly yielded over €200,000 on the market. An examination of the seized packages shows that the active ingredient, trimetazidine, was present in quantities of less than 35 mg of the original drug. Its release would have occurred according to different timing and methods, and impurities would also be present in quantities exceeding the permitted limit.
Il Sole 24 Ore – 20/02/2010 , Il Mattino Pag.10 – 20/02/2010 , Il Messaggero Rome Pag.33 – 20/02/2010 
