Singapore: The Chinese Food and Drug Administration(CFDA) recently issued a warning to consumers against purchasing illegal cancer drugs online.

In a circular issued by the CFDA, the department clearly stated that cancer drugs must not be procured without due prescription and said that online drugs are seldom prescribed.

CFDA further added that these drugs were 'fake' and did not have the approval from any drug inspecting body.

The authority elaborated that an investigation revealed the drug Iressa marketed by AstraZeneca which claimed to be imported from India, was actually produced in China illegally. Many other cancer drugs, too were in the fake list.

The illegal drug store also had drugs purchased by unqualified personnel from inauthentic sources who sold them at a lower prices to attract consumers. Illegal drugs are not only less effective but also can cause serious harm to the health, CFDA cautioned.