DOH warns public vs counterfeit medicines
Counterfeit Medicines can be life threatening, the Department of Health, Region VI warned.
According to the DOH about ten percent of medicines bought in pharmacies are fake. Counterfeit or fake medicines are not registered with the Bureau of Food and Drugs. It is manufactured and distributed by persons who only seek for money.
As explained by the DOH, counterfeit medicines pose a serious global health hazard. They are medicinal products with correct ingredients, without active ingredients, with insufficient quantity of active ingredient which result in the reduction of the drug?s safety, efficacy, quality, strength or purity.
These products, the DOH further explained are deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and/or source or with fake packaging. Both generic and branded products can be counterfeit.
The DOH likewise reminded the public that fake medicines also refer to the following: a) the drug itself or the container or labeling thereof ort any part of such drug container or labeling bearing without authorization the trademark, trade name or other identification mark or imprint or any likeness to that which is owned or registered in the Bureu of Patent, Trademark and Technology Transfer in the name of another natural or juridical person; b) a drug product refilled in containers by unauthorized persons if the legitimate labels or marks are used; c) an unregistered imported drug product, except brought in the country for personal use as confirmed and justified by accompanying medical records; and d) a drug which contains no amount of or a different active ingredient, or less than eighty percent of the actyive ingredient it purports to possess as distinguished from an adulterated drug including reduction or less of efficacy due to expiration.
The public is urged to help fight against counterfeit medicines by reporting to the Department of Health.
(PIA)