FAKE MEDICINES - WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW

 Filenews 18 May 2021

Detecting falsified medicines is not an easy task, as the reasons for this category vary. As reported by the Cyprus Medicines Verification Agency (COEF), falsified medicines are preparations that may contain ingredients, including active ingredients, which are of poor quality or at the wrong dosage (either too high or too low). They have also not passed the required quality, safety and efficacy assessment, as required by the authorisation process for medicinal products in the European Union.

Check for authenticity

Checking a drug for its authenticity is not an easy task, but it can be done to some extent, following the following practices:

1. Check the packaging: This is the simplest and easiest method to check the authenticity of medicines. Check the packaging for details such as unusual fonts, print color, and spelling errors.
2. Check the seal: The safety seal (especially in bottled medicines) must not be damaged. Look for cracks in the sealing tape.
3. Check the physical characteristics of tablets: As stated by the World Health Organization, the common physical characteristics to be considered in medicines are:
   1. Small pieces of tablets or excessive powder at the bottom of the medicine container.
   2. Cracks in tablets.
   3. The appearance of crystal on the walls of the container or on medicine tablets.
   4. Softening or hardening of medicines.
   5. Swelling, blemishes or discoloration of tablets.
4. Price: If the price of the drug is suddenly much cheaper than the usual price, check the product you bought before.
5. Suppliers: The pharmaceutical industry is flooded with a plethora of brands. Buying drugs from a reputable pharmacy or brands of good medicines will significantly reduce your chances of buying falsified drugs.

Risks associated with falsified medicines

The consequences of the use of falsified medicines are numerous and extremely dangerous for patients due to the following:

1. The amount of active ingredients in fake medicines may not be accurate and may not bring about the desired effect on the patient.
2. It probably contains completely different active ingredients than the original drug and cause serious side effects.
3. The process by which they are manufactured may not coincide with good manufacturing practice or not in accordance with the policies of the Technical Advisory Council on Medicinal Products, with the result that the medicinal products are altered.
4. They may contain toxic ingredients.
5. Counterfeit manufacturer data may be reported in the drug package.
6. They may not have been stored or transported correctly, resulting in their alteration.

There are thousands of falsified medicines flooding the market and the negative effects of these formulations know no bounds. They are harmful and poisonous, so special care must be taken to protect ourselves from their use.

For information and advice you can contact the website of the Pharmaceutical Services of the Ministry of Health and the phone 22-608620, as well as the Branch for combating intellectual property theft offences and illegal betting of the Electronic Crime Sub-Directorate and at 22-807398.