Pharmacist Pleads Guilty to Dispensing Fake Viagra

Meghan Ross, Associate Editor

A Chicago pharmacist has pleaded guilty to trafficking fake male-enhancement drugs from his pharmacy between 2010 and 2012.



Michael Markiewicz, 38, admitted that he bought counterfeit Viagra and Cialis from China and then sold the tablets to customers at his store, Belmont Pharmacy, according to the US attorney’s office.



Although Markiewicz had his license and his pharmacy’s license revoked in 2012, Belmont Pharmacy has remained open as a nutrition and herb retailer.



The pharmacist obtained roughly 1600 fake male-enhancement tablets from China, according to the plea agreement. When a package from abroad was processed through customs, the labeling stated that it contained a gift pen, but underneath the pen laid baggies with the counterfeit tablets.



Upon arrival at Belmont Pharmacy, Markiewicz would sell the fake male-enhancement medications to customers who did not have prescriptions.



In 2013, Markiewicz was charged with 8 counts of violating the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 4 counts of trafficking in counterfeit drugs or goods using a counterfeit mark, and 3 counts of smuggling. Following a superseding indictment, however, Markiewicz pleaded guilty only to trafficking and holding for sale and dispensing counterfeit Viagra.



Trafficking counterfeit drugs could carry a 20-year maximum prison sentence and a $5 million fine. Markiewicz’s sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2015.