MrMed Blogs: Get useful & latest information about Super Specialty Medicines

Health Care

18 Apr 2024

8 mins

The Hidden Dangers of Counterfeit Medicines: Facts & Figures You Might Be Shocked To KnowIn this era, where the replication of designer bags or watches is easily possible, medicine is no longer an exception. The threat of fake medicine is a global crisis, not just a local issue. It's not just about copying patents, it's about endangering lives. This blog, delving deep into the dark side of fake medications, underscores its risks, and is a must-read for every consumer out there. HOW COMMON ARE COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES? WHO claims that up to 10% counterfeit medicines [https://www.who.int/news/item/28-11-2017-1-in-10-medical-products-in-developing-countries-is-substandard-or-falsified]on a global scale while some developing countries have it soaring over 50% as established. 1. Impact on Public Health Programs: Counterfeit medicines are a threat to public health since they can derail entire health campaigns, resulting in a loss of resources that are used to purchase too many medicinal products that are ineffective or harmful. Education in rural areas is the most vulnerable sector to cutbacks. For example, programs targeting diseases like malaria and tuberculosis are useful in killing the disease, but they might also be stuck in the way of funding. 2. Involvement of Organized Crime: The Illegal production and the distribution of fake drugs are oftentimes controlled by highly-organised criminal networks. It is also difficulty to defined because this illegal trade goes beyond health issue and is a serious security challenge at global level. 3. Difficulty in Regulation and Enforcement: Drug supply chains are interconnected worldwide, making any individual nation’s law regulating and enforcing against fake drugs a herculean task. The problem is that these are coupled with multiple regulatory frameworks and the variation in enforcement capabilities from one country to another. 4. Advancements in Technology Used by Counterfeiters: With the magic of modern technology, genuine pharmaceutical companies develop new methods to authenticate their products and to outsmart counterfeiters which also improvise with advanced technologies and make convincing fake products. This comprise of the exceptional quality, uniform packaging and other printing materials that resemble original products such that it is difficult to differentiate between fake and genuine. 5. Impact on Trust in Healthcare Systems: A high number of fake medicines may cause a loss of public trust as well as healthcare systems and providers in the public can be attributed to them. When individuals get ineffective medical treatment, it not only deteriorates their health but it too, destroys their trust in political bodies and professionals that are affiliated to medical sector. TOP 7 RISKS OF TAKING COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES Taking fake medicines is an approximation that can cause treatment failure. 1. Allergic Reactions: Fake drugs can be mislabeled containing an unapproved or unacceptable excipient (a supplementary substance not active but used as a carrier for the active ingredient). This can cause allergic reactions [https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/immune-disorders/allergic-reaction] in patients when not expected. These allergies may be moderate or severe from a harmless rash to a dangerous anaphylaxis. 2. Interference with Other Medications: Since the fake medicines can potentially cause adverse reactions with the other genuine drugs [https://www.mrmed.in/] an individual might be taking, it is hard to predict the outcome of consuming such dubious medicines. These exposures bear great risks of these drugs no longer being effective or yawning side effects. Such scenarios have worsened the complexity of existing treatment plan. 3. Lack of Efficacy: If the subject is taking counterfeit drugs with no or very few of the ingredients that have medicinal value, then there is no chance that cure will happen. Such diseases like diabetes [https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/diabetes], hypertension, or bacterial infections will inherently take their nightmarish path because they will no longer be treated. There is also the option of having a treatment that is not as effective as it should be which can cause various complications, worsen health and even result in death, provided the critical condition is not treated. 4. Dangerous Ingredients: Fake drugs are mainly affected by low-cost and easily accessible hazardous substances used by counterfeiters either as substitutes or fillers. Making them falsified. For example, rat poison is very poisonous, causing heavy toxic reactions; floor wax isn't digestible and can lead to gastritits or acute abdominal perforation; and heavy metals like lead or mercury, which can cause organ failure leading to irreversible damage. Presence of such components can lead to an instant death or equally dangerous consequences to a patient who had not any idea of the ingredients. 5. Wrong Dosages: The dosage of active ingredients with precision is of paramount importance for safety and effectiveness of any medication. Falsified medicines, in particular, may behave in erratic manner displaying varying and unpredictable levels of active elements. The intake of high doses might transform into consequential toxicity, and even cause in the end, a lethal overdose. On the other hand, short periods of insufficient amounts of drugs may not only be ineffective but also develop resistance by themselves, mainly with antibiotics and antivirals. Thus infections become refractory to existing treatment options and subsequently ignite many medical complications. 6. Antibiotic Resistance: The use of adulterated antibiotics that contain below-therapeutic levels of active ingredients is the most deadly because selected survivors of resistant strains of bacteria have a lovely platform to reproduce and survive. It also results in the ineffectiveness of the treatment, which leads to prolonged and escalated infections. Moreover, it is a contributing factor to the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance [https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/antibiotic-resistance]. This worldwide problem reduces the treatment of bacterial diseases, makes it more difficult and expensive, and puts the existing antibiotics in danger. 7. Psychological Impact: With the knowledge that they have been taking fake remedies, low patient morale and thinking are the main causes of their mental distress in chronic diseases. The approach may make matters worse as it can then leads to deteriorating their wellness condition, making the recovery complicated which in the end post-treatment life will be poorer. THE GLOBAL SCALE OF THE ‘FAKE DRUG’ PROBLEM * Developing Nations: In many developing countries, we have the absence of a strong regulatory regime and insufficient resources for enforcement leading to an increased rate of counterfeit medications in these places. As per the estimation, almost more than 30% of the drugs [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products] that are available in the markets of third-world countries are counterfeit. The spread of fakes medications is rapid in areas with minimal or no oversight by regulators and low public education. The damage is immense, with fake essential drugs such as antimalarials and antibiotics being a reality on the ground, thereby leading to unsuccessful treatments and deaths. * Developed Nations: Surprisingly, advanced countries are also victims of the problem of fake drugs with strong control systems in place. It is just a small fraction of real medicines in the regions that have counterfeit drugs. These commonly are accessed through illegal markets online or unlawful distribution avenues. The fact that even a slight amount of counterfeited drugs pose a problem to the high levels of safety and efficacy standards commonly employed in these health systems should be worrisome. * Online Pharmacies: The increase in the number of online drug pharmacies has become one of the major reasons for the outbreak of counterfeit drugs. The WHO estimates that among medicines sold through the internet globally, around 50% might be counterfeit. Some buyers love architecture as they find it easy and steadfast; however, they may end up with counterfeit products despite their efforts. * Economic Impact: The economic pressure arising from the development of fake drugs is also significant. Through a global market for the sale of fake medication, the illicit income is estimated to be about $200 billion [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9031510/]. Consequently, apart from bearing the consequence of the low quality of the products, the pharmaceutical sector also has to bear the cost of treating complications coming from lower quality or potentially toxic fake drugs as an extra cost the health system has to bear. THE BIG PICTURE Fake medicines apart from being public health threat inflict a blow also on the country's economic stability. The financial strain is twofold: there is an expensive financial burden for health systems when complex conditions resulted from poor drugs efficacy, the problem is that they are left without the capacity for other parts. At the same time, legitimate drug manufacturers are bombarded with the losses of revenues in billions of dollars each year, owing to the growing distribution of fake drugs. This feature just confirms the vitality.

Dr. Vijayalakshmi

How To Spot Fake Medicines: A Consumer's Guide

Health Care

18 Apr 2024

10 mins

How To Spot Fake Medicines: A Consumer's GuideHave you ever wondered whether the very pills or medicines you use every day for your health concerns might worsen your condition? You heard it right—fake medicines containing harmful adulterants that can worsen your health instead of improving it. You might be thinking, how can I safeguard myself from these kinds of drugs? Your question is right, and here is a brief guide to address all your questions about fake medicines and ways to protect your health from them. Want to learn more? Continue reading for more information. WHAT IS A COUNTERFEIT MEDICINE? Counterfeit medicines can be produced by individuals other than the original manufacturer, copying the product without the necessary authorization or rights. It is illegal to produce and sell these products, and they are also a major health concern for our society. They may differ in size, shape, color, and packaging quality when compared to the original drugs. But they are enough to deceive our eyes. For example, if we search for Xanax, Ativan, Adderall, or Ambien medicine, it will open hundreds of websites that could offer it without asking for a prescription. ARE YOU TAKING REAL MEDICINE OR SOMETHING ELSE? According to the World Health Organization [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6324280/#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO,worldwide%20are%20substandard%20or%20falsified.&text=Furthermore%2C%20most%20of%20the%20burden,and%20poor%20supply%2Dchain%20management.], about 10.5% of medicines worldwide are considered substandard or falsified. Among these, antimalarial and antibiotic medicines are often reported as counterfeit medicines. These counterfeit medicines are often manufactured with incorrect doses or toxic, harmful ingredients that pose serious health risks to individuals. They closely resemble authentic medicines, leading to confusion and making us believe they are the legitimate medications prescribed by our doctors. We're all being deceived here, and we need to double-check when it comes to our health. Ultimately, our health is what suffers from these fraudulent activities. HOW DO YOU CHECK FAKE MEDICINE? In the rush to treat diseases and meet the high demand for obtaining medicines, we often forget to verify the authenticity of the medicine that our body truly needs to treat the condition. However, taking the time to assess the authenticity of the medication is crucial, as it can aid in a faster recovery and protect us from the harmful substances found in counterfeit drugs. Here are some of the top 5 ways to check the originality of the medicines. 1. Check the package for conditions, spelling, or grammatical errors. 2. Check the manufacturer details and verify the expiry dates on the label with the details on the outer packaging of the medicines. 3. Check the medicine's appearance, color, and smell with your previously used standard medicine. 4. Consult your doctor immediately if you do not feel any improvement or experience any side effects during or before the medication. 5. Report suspicious medicine to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority. FAKE MEDICINES IN INDIA: A GROWING CONCERN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH India ranks third in the world for its pharmaceutical industry. However, there has been a simultaneous rise in the production of counterfeit medicines, alongside the growth of the health sector. According to the study conducted by ASSOCHAM in 2022, it is estimated that around 25% of India medicines are counterfeit drugs, which shows the prevalence of this emerging risk in our own country. Some of the fake medicines seized by DCA officials are labeled under the names of reputed companies like Sun Pharma, Glenmark, Aristo Pharmaceuticals, and Torrent Pharma. It is also found that three variants of antibiotics (Mpod 200, Cefoxim CV, and MEXCLAV 625 tablets) are falsely labeled under a non-existent company named Meg Lifesciences. It is estimated that about Rs 352 crore out of Rs 14 trillion drugs are contributed as a fake drug in the Indian domestic drug market. WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL HEALTH ISSUES OF FAKE DRUGS? Fake drugs not only interfere with the effectiveness of medication, but they can also cause severe health issues for individuals. These drugs may contain substances like chalk, starch, and, in the worst cases, harmful ingredients such as mercury, arsenic, rat poison, or even cement. This can delay treatment and worsen the health of individuals. Fake medication can also cause life-threatening allergic reactions, organ damage, and antibiotic resistance [https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/antibiotic-resistance] in individuals, making it more difficult to treat diseases. DRUG SCAMS NO MORE! SCAN FOR SAFETY The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a notice to prevent the sale of fake medicine in India. It emphasizes that every medicine should be shipped with a QR code that displays essential details for consumers when scanned. The QR code will contain the information which is given below: 1. It should contain the unique product code. 2. It should contain the generic and brand name of the drug. 3. It should contain the proper address of the manufacturer 4. It should contain a batch number, date of manufacture, and expiry 5. It should contain a manufacturing license number. Advantages of QR code: 1. It helps to provide patients with up-to-date drug and prescription information. 2. It helps to maintain the authenticity of pharmaceutical drugs. 3. It helps to provide a convenience and quality service to the patients. 4. It can help prevent the sale of expired medicines. 5. It is user-friendly, and anyone can scan it with their smartphone. TRAVEL SMART: TIPS TO AVOID BUYING FAKE MEDICINE The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/counterfeit-medicine] recommends avoiding the purchase of medicines while traveling to other countries or regions. This is because low- and middle-income countries are estimated to sell a high volume of counterfeit medication to patients. Therefore, the CDC suggests following specific tips to avoid buying fake medicines while traveling. Here are some tips they recommend for purchasing medicines while traveling: 1. Try to buy medicine in licensed pharmacies and ask them to give a receipt. 2. As a pharmacist, you need a better option that is similar to your current medicine. 3. Check whether the medicine is in its original packaging. 4. Check whether the package has poor printing quality. TO WHOM SHOULD WE REPORT AGAINST FAKE MEDICINES? To eradicate false medication, various organizations work together and share their reports with each other. These reports are periodically published by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment. Here are the organizations that receive the false medicine reports: 1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): You can dial 1800-180-5533 to raise a complaint against the fake medicine in FDA. 2. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): It is a national regulatory body in India for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medicine. You can file a complaint against the fake medicine in the CDSCO portal. 3. Medical Council of India (MCI): You can file your complaint against fake drugs through the online portal of the Medical Council of India. If you find that the medicine you got is fake or have any concerns about the medicine you bought, inform your healthcare professional and raise a complaint against the manufacturer by informing the organizations mentioned above. It is our duty to protect our health and the health of those around us. ENDNOTES! Spotting fake medicine is essential to protect our health and also to improve the treatment outcomes of patients. It is illegal to manufacture and sell a medicine that is substandard and contains harmful adulterants. Patients are requested to check the medicine they are buying either physically or through an online platform. Drug authenticity should be strictly assessed, and punishments need to be increased to prevent counterfeit medicines. Organizations need to establish and raise the security of e-pharmacies to ensure the safety and quality of the drugs. Initiatives like establishing a QR code by CIDCO can help prevent fake medicines and manufacturing in the health sector. Further improvement and initiative are much needed to develop safe and secure healthcare that offers wellness and protection of patients without any corruption.

Ishwarya R