The Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase prescription drugs from Web sites that have their orders filled from Canadian companies reportedly selling counterfeit medications.

The FDA is investigating reports that Mediplan Prescription Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health in Manitoba, Canada sold fake drugs to U.S. consumers.

It is coordinating its efforts with international law enforcement authorities

Abbott Laboratories (a United States [U.S.] pharmaceutical company) and AstraZeneca (a British drug giant competitor) announced Wednesday their collaboration plans to create and market an all-in-one pill that will have a combined positive effect on all three blood lipids (i.e., LDLs, HDLs and triglycerides). The new pill will not only lower the LDLs (or "bad" cholesterol), but it will raise the HDLs (or "good" cholesterol), while also reducing triglycerides (fats that form in the bloodstream).

Abbott currently sells the cholesterol treatment, Tricor, and AstraZeneca currently sells the cholesterol-lowering drug, Crestor. The joint venture to develop the combination drug treatment will aid in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, which is known as the number one killer of both men and women

Researchers find a new cholesterol-lowering statin drug that reverses the build-up of plaque in coronary arteries, which, according to reports, can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

According to Reuters, a study of more than 500 patients found that after two years of treatment with a high dose of AstraZeneca Plc's Crestor, plaque volumes decrease

A new study may lead to the cholesterol-lowering medication, Crestor, being removed from shelves, as it may have an even greater affect on the kidneys and muscles than previously thought.

The drug is made by AstraZeneca PLC, and in March, the FDA stated that Crestor's risks were no greater than its competitors