Fake drugs have become a major problem in the pharmaceutical industry. Counterfeiting of drugs has increased rapidly over the last few years, causing severe health and safety risks for patients.
Spotting fake drugs can be difficult, but there are some key things to look out for. This article will outline the signs to help you spot a fake drug.
1. Packaging
The packaging of a drug can be a good indication of whether the drug is genuine or not. Look for crisp and clear packaging, with legible and consistent text.
The packaging should also include the manufacturer’s logo, contact details, batch number, and expiry date. These details help you verify the authenticity of the drug.
2. Prices that are too good to be true
When purchasing a drug, it’s important to be wary of prices that seem too good to be true. If a drug is priced significantly lower than the market rate, there’s a high chance that it’s counterfeit.
Counterfeiters often use low prices to attract unsuspecting buyers. It’s important to remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3. Suspicious Websites
If you’re buying a drug online, it’s important to research the website where you’re making the purchase. When buying from a web pharmacy, make sure it’s licensed and legitimate.
Check if the website’s customer reviews are genuine, and be cautious of sites that don’t require a prescription or provide an online consultation before selling the drug.
4. Labels and instructions
Labels and instructions for use that are unclear or contain spelling mistakes should cause suspicion. The text and information provided should be consistent and clear as per standard guidelines.
If the font, text, or labels are not clear or printed poorly, its better to confirm by the manufacturer or pharmacy before taking the drug for any medication.
5. Color, size, and shape of the drug
The size, shape, and color of drugs can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from one formulation to the other. Any changes to these three attributes should be treated as a warning sign.
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Check whether the color and shape are consistent with the product received from the previous manufacture. while it is acceptable for minor deviations, major changes could mean that the drug is counterfeit or not made by the manufacturer claimed.
6. Taste and Smell of the drug
The taste and smell of a drug can be a tell-tale sign of whether a drug is genuine or not. A genuine drug should have a distinct smell with a consistent taste and flavor.
If the drug has a strange smell or strange taste, it’s important to contact the pharmacy or manufacturer immediately.
7. Pharmacy or vendor’s reputation
It’s important for pharmacies to be licensed and within good standing with the industry’s regulatory bodies. Similarly, it’s best to purchase drugs from credible and well-known vendors to ensure the quality of the products being sold.
The reputation of the pharmacy or vendor selling the drug is important to verify the credibility of the drug being sold.
8. Sensitivity allgeries
Individuals with allergic reactions should keep special care while buying drugs from an unknown source. Certain counterfeit medicines may contain harmless fillers disguised as drugs.
This problem can lead to adverse reactions even death in some extreme cases. It’s important to research the pharmacy, seller, and also review the details on the pack before taking the medication.
9. Checking with manufacturer
When in doubt, contact the pharmaceutical company that manufactured the drug.
When you purchase a trusted and well-known brand of medicines, you can easily verify by crosschecking the details of the product with the official website or through the contact details present on the pack. This verification will put all the doubts to rest, and you can be sure of the quality of the drug and you are getting what you have paid for.
10. Keep Alertness
Finally, it is always important to be alert and cautious while buying and taking medications. Keep an eye out for any changes that may seem suspicious or off.
When in doubt, it’s always important to seek clarifications from the manufacturer or pharmacy that issued the medication.
