DOH intensifies info drive vs. fake drugs
To ensure that the sick will not be conned, the Department of Health continues its drive against counterfeit drugs through active information dissemination.
Counterfeit medicines are those that are deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and source and can apply to both branded and generic products.
Counterfeit products may include those with the correct ingredients, without active ingredients, with insufficient active ingredients or with fake packaging, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
These medicines can harm patients in two ways: individually and at the societal level. Products that lack active ingredients will be ineffective and taking unadulterated substances can cause harm -- from unexpected adverse reactions to toxicity or anaphylaxis. They can be life threatening and have caused deaths in Asia and Africa.
"Fake drugs are in our midst. Region 6 is not spared," according to Dr. Zenaida Villareal, chief of Local Health Assistance of the Department of Health. She lamented that the most sought after drugs like paracetamol and the expensive ones are being faked.
The globalization of markets have made the distribution of fake medicines easier. Another factor for the upsurge is the weak regulations in terms of enforcement and penalties that govern the medicine distribution systems in some countries.
Villareal is hopeful that despite being understaffed at ten personnel who go around to check 2,500 pharmacy stores in the region, "we are aggressive in the campaign against fake drugs."
These personnel can immediately detect if a drug is fake. The fake drug will be pulled out and will be subjected to laboratory analysis in DOH Manila. If found fake, the pharmacy where it was taken from will be asked to pay P100,000. The manufacturer or where the drugs came from will also be investigated.
Villareal said the illegitimate pharmacies normally are victimized by drug peddlers as they are not strict with the documents needed before a drug or medicine is accepted. "That is why we continuously conduct advocacy to different groups and pharmacies.
She advised consumers to buy drugs only from legitimate pharmacies that are registered with the Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration (BFAD).
PJ Online gives the following pieces of advice. One should establish the source of the product. If a product is being offered at an unusually cheap price, be cautious. Look for signs of removed or switched product labels. One common practice of counterfeiters is to remove the original label and replace it with a counterfeit label. To do this, they use lighter fluid, acetone or some other solvent which may leave a tacky residue on the container. Also, the label may be faded or discolored along the edges due to the solvent. Look for an altered expiry date. Counterfeiters commonly purchase short dated products and then alter the labels. Compare the physical characteristics of the product. Look at the color, tablet or capsule marking, shape and thickness of the medicine. You can also weigh the product to see if there are wide variations.
Consumers can send their complaints to the Consumer Arbitration Officer through telephone number (033) 321-0204.