Condo Living: How to Trace Fake Medicines

There is a probability that Metro Manila will be placed under Alert Level 4 amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Saturday. With the rising number of cases, demand for personal protection and hygiene products is growing exponentially in the country, and supply chains are disrupted as mass hysteria for hoarding medicines is rampant. Criminals are seeking to make a profit from this situation - by selling substandard or counterfeit items such as surgical masks, and even outright fake coronavirus medicine. 

False claims abound about medicines that can protect against, or even cure, the virus. But when purchasing these, you do not know what sort of medicine you are actually receiving or if it is safe to consume. What sounds like a cure could actually be harmful to your health. Rather than making you better, some medicines can in fact be bad for you. Whatever your illness, it’s important to get your medicines from a regulated source. This applies to all types of medicines for all types of conditions but has taken on a new dimension with the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

According to a report published by the World Health Organisation, one in ten medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries are estimated to be either substandard or falsified, endangering the lives of millions.

The deadly consequences of using counterfeit medicine are well understood to be a challenge to the integrity of public health systems around the globe, and also a threat to our individual health and welfare. The issue of fake drugs has persisted despite all efforts by regulatory bodies towards compliance with standards.

As a consumer, you may not have access to most of the test equipment used by regulatory bodies to verify the identity of a drug product.

Guide to Purchasing Genuine Drug Products

Visual inspection

Visual inspection as stated by the World Health Organization (WHO) (1999) still remains the first step in identifying potential fake drugs irrespective of the analytical methods used. This is because such observation serves as a lead to identifying fake products even in the absence of the knowledge of the physical characteristics of a genuine drug product. You are expected to examine carefully both the package and its content before purchase or use.

a. Visual inspection of the Package

You should:

1. Examine the package and check if it appears suspicious or different from what you previously know.
2. Check if the security seal has been tampered with by looking for breaks or tears in the sealing tape and seals.
3. Look for unusual fonts, font sizes, print color, and spelling errors.
4. Check the legibility of the information on both the primary and secondary packages.
5. Check if the batch number, expiry date, and manufacturer’s address on the secondary package are the same as those on the primary package.
6. Check if the manufacturer’s address is traceable, that is if it contains the exact location of the company and not just the country address.
7. Check if the registration number is properly printed or if it appears to have tampered with.

b. Visual inspection of the Dosage form

At this stage, you are meant to:

1. Check for differences in the physical appearance (color uniformity, size, shape, consistency, etc.) of the drug. As stated by WHO, commonly encountered physical defects that should be looked out for in tablets include:
1. Excessive powder and/or pieces of tablets at the bottom of the container (from abraded, crushed, or broken tablets);
2. Cracks or chips in the tablets, swelling, mottling, discoloration, a fusion of tablets;
3. The appearance of crystal on the walls of the container or on the tablet.
4. Hardening or softening, cracking, swelling, mottling or discoloration of capsule shell should also be looked out for.
2. Also, check the organoleptic properties of the dosage form if you have been using the medication.

Mobile Authentication Service using Short Message Service (SMS)

Mobile Authentication Service (MAS) is one of the cutting-edge technologies used to curb the menace of fake drugs. It is a technology that has put the power of identifying fake drug products in the hands of many cell phone users.

MAS involves the packaging of drugs. Verify the product to the manufacturer by identifying the following

• Lot/batch # and expiry date (You may find it stamped in the foil pack or in the box)
• Date when you bought the items
• Name of the establishment/drugstore and address where you bought the product
• Clear photos of the items (front and back)

etc., depending on the service the manufacturer chose. Shortly after, the sender receives a reply confirming whether the drug is genuine or fake from the manufacturer or pharmaceutical company. Some of the well known in the Philippines who employs drug verification is (Unilab, Abbott, GlazoSmithKline among others)

Source

The source of the drug also determines if you are buying a fake drug or not. Filling your prescription in a reputable pharmacy greatly reduces your chances of buying fake drugs while buying from illiterate and unqualified vendors who hawke drugs in buses, motor parks, and in the streets increases your chances of buying fake drugs.

Price

This is another way of identifying fake products. If the price is far cheaper than what is expected, then you have to think twice. However, this may not always be true, especially for some products (fake innovator/generic brands) which may be sold at the same price as the genuine ones.

Unexpected side effect

Counterfeit drugs most of the time contain inert substances other than the appropriate Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). They may also contain incorrect substances, improper dosage, or hazardous substances which do not elicit a therapeutic effect. Unusual side effects, allergic reactions, or a worsening of the medical condition after taking a medication may be a pointer to identifying a fake drug. The medication should be stopped once any of the above is noticed.

Condo living has never been easy. One of its facets includes that the household must always stock up on medicines during times of crisis. Amid the crisis now in the country, there are a thousand and one counterfeit, gray and substandard drugs in the market today; and the negative impacts of these drugs know no boundaries. Drugs are poisons and care must be taken to avoid fake ones. The tips we’ve shared in this article will not only help reduce your chances of purchasing, using, and suffering the untoward effects of fake drug products but will also save you some money. Aside from being aware of the fake medicines out in the market, everyone should also be aware of the medicines that you cannot take together or simultaneously.  

You can contribute your quota to fighting the war against counterfeit drugs by sharing this information. 

If you are thinking of moving into a new condominium, check out Vista Residences!

Vista Residences is the condominium arm of the country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. that offers ready for occupancy and pre-selling condominium projects in Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Ortigas, Baguio, Cebu, and CDO that are strategically located within major cities, in close proximity to premium universities, transit-oriented locations, and developed business districts.   

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