Source: Tribuna do Brasil - Brasília / DF - 06/10/2010

As of January 2012, anyone who buys a drug will be able to confirm at the pharmacy if the product is genuine. The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) today launched (6) a security seal that will be recognized by optical readers installed in all drugstores in the country.

The authenticity of the product will be indicated when the consumer approaches the label to the optical reader. A green light, accompanied by a beep, indicates that the medication is true. The seal, self-adhesive and waterproof, will be unique - without differentiation by state or manufacturer.

According to Anvisa, the goal is to reduce the risks caused by counterfeit, stolen, unregistered or smuggled drugs. This year alone, 53.575 counterfeit and smuggled drugs were seized, in addition to 62,9 tons of unregistered products.

“In the 80s and 90s, this type of trade took place in areas not authorized by the Brazilian State. This counterfeiting was fought in street markets, subways, suburban trains. Unfortunately, we started to identify this crime in establishments that should do exactly the opposite: fight it, ”said Anvisa's CEO, Dirceu Raposo.

Each pharmacy will have optical reading equipment installed in an easily accessible area for free and free use by consumers. The distribution of the equipment is the responsibility of the Casa da Moeda and there will be no charge for the establishment.

The value of the security seal will be R $ 0,07 without tax. As the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS) varies from state to state, the total price of the labels has not been fixed.

“The government will not authorize a drug price increase. This will be absorbed by the production chain. The impact is negligible, around 0,01% in products over R $ 5 ”, explained Raposo. Companies with drug registration will have up to 60 days, starting today, to register at the Casa da Moeda.

The supply of the label will be made up to 60 days after signing a contract with the Casa da Moeda. The companies will have a period of six months to start applying the labels and 12 months for all medicines on the production line to have the seal. Until January 15, 2012, all medicines in circulation in the country must have the label.

The period for the distribution of optical readers will be seven months, with specific calendars for each region of the country.

Source: Agency Brazil