Journal of Medicine Vol 4 - Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and ...

Amrita Journal of Medicine
Caution! Counterfeit Medicines are on the Rise
To report any suspicion on spurious / counterfeit
products to the authorities/ pharmacovigilance cell in
the area.
To fully cooperate with enforcement agencies.
a. Communication:
The Professional bodies should maintain effective channels
for communication with enforcement agencies
and legitimate manufacturers.
b. Education:
The Professional bodies should take the initiative in
consumer and public education spread information
on suspected counterfeiting activity to their members.
They should devise and disseminate simple safety tips
for the consumers.
6. At the Consumer Level:
Consumers are advised to be particularly vigilant about
their medications.
These products may be expired, contain incorrect ingredients
or amounts of active ingredients, or be enclosed
in packaging that does not match the product inside.
Consumers are advised to be particularly vigilant about
their medications.
SIMPLE SAFETY TIPS FOR THE CONSUMERS
1. Look at Your Medicine:
It is very difficult for healthcare professional, let alone
the patient to identify a counterfeit product just by
looking at a medication or its packaging.
a. Read the instructions printed on the product, the package
or the package insert.
The label or the package insert should provide all the
basic information about the product and the manufacturer.
These are required for the safe and effective
use of medicines.
b. Signs of tampering
Package / container is different, unduly soiled or
damaged.
Contents show signs of decaying like discolouration,
cracks, precipitate etc.
c. Information about the product:
Name of the product (generic and registered).
Strength.
Total quantity in a pack.
Unit dose, and dosage per day, dosage interval.
Route of administration.
Synopsis on pharmacology.
Warnings, interactions - possible drug - food and drug
– drug interactions.
d. Information about the manufacturer:
Name of the manufacturer /distributor.
Licence number of the manufacturing firm and / or
distributor.
Lack of basic information about the product in question
or an unprofessionally prepared document with
factual errors and /or spelling and grammar mistakes
should arouse suspicion of a spurious medicine.
2. Talk To Your Pharmacist:
If the package is different or damaged.
If there is variation in shape, colour,
consistency, taste, smell, or feel.
If it does not produce the expected
results or it produces. This can be due a
number of reasons, including:
a. Your body’s response has changed
over time (requiring a higher or lower dose).
b. You have a new medical condition
that changes the medication’s
effectiveness, or
c. An interaction has occurred among
medications, vitamins, or herbal
supplements you are taking or
specific foods you are eating
d. you have received a counterfeit
medicine.
If it produces unusual experiences
It may be due to side effects, interactions
or allergy.
3. Advice on Procurement of Medicines:
a. Authorised dealer
Chances of getting original medicines are high when
medicines are purchased from reputed, known, authorized
pharmacies.
b. Beware of E- trading
Consumers are advised not to be lured by the advertisements
that appear in the Internet. It is very difficult
for the public to know whether the site is approved
for E- trading or not. To stay safe, if medicine is to be
purchased through e- trading outlet, chose a web site
that posts the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies
VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice
Sites) symbol if such a system exists.
c. Receipt
Always demand bill after purchase. Verify whether
batch number and expiry date are noted down on
the bill.
16