Three women came forward saying that they became pregnant because the pills they bought didn’t work.

A police search found about 4,000 pills or 143 packages that were being sold under the name Perla.  The pills that were being sold at the market were not approved as contraceptives by the United States Food and Drug Administration.  The Virginia Department of health says that although Perla is used in other countries, the FDA does not approve of it.  In those foreign countries it is available over the counter, but a prescription is required in the US.

It is a felony to sell unapproved prescription drugs in Virginia and can be punishable by up to five years in prison.

The owners of the markets El Mercadito Hispano and Supermercado market were not aware that selling Perla is illegal.  They have been cooperating with police and no charges have been filed yet.

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