Source: Brazilian News Agency - 05/07/2010

BRASÍLIA [ABN NEWS] - A bulletin with tips for consumers to be able to identify real medicines was created by the Department of Consumer Protection and Defense (DPDC) and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), in order to offer greater security to the population.

According to the document, consumers should pay attention to some important information when purchasing a drug. The packaging always has safety instructions and one of them, known as “scratch card”, is on one side of the box. It is a paint that, when rubbed by any metal object, reacts by showing the company's logo and a word: Quality.

Check the seal and buy the medicine only in pharmacies or drugstores is another important attitude, according to the bulletin. Establishments only operate in Brazil with a Business Operation Authorization (AFA) and, in the case of the sale of controlled drugs, they still need a Special Authorization (AE).

Information such as the medicine's commercial name (absent in the case of generics), manufacturer's name, batch number, manufacturing and expiration dates, and Customer Service numbers (SAC) are some of the requirements that must appear on the packaging. In general, fake drugs have misspellings on the packaging.

According to Dirceu Raposo de Mello, CEO of Anvisa, 15 years ago the problem was restricted to street vendors. Currently, it can already be identified even in regular pharmacies and drugstores, a practice that has been severely combated. The establishment may suffer even more serious penalties if it participates in any government program, such as the “Farmácia Popular”. "The Brazilian State will not finance those who do not fulfill their duty and use the establishment for illegal practices", warned the CEO of Anvisa. He draws attention to the seriousness of the crime of counterfeiting medicines: "Unlike a CD or tennis shoes, in the case of medicines, the damage can be death".

"After inhalants and marijuana, benzodiazepines and stimulants are the substances most used by the population, often through illicit means, which shows that the concern with medicines needs to be constant", recalled the general coordinator of the Brazilian Observatory of Drug Information, Vladimir de Andrade Stempliuk.

The executive secretary of the National Council for Combating Piracy and Crimes against Intellectual Property (CNCP), André Barcellos, cited the importance of Anvisa's initiative: “by providing information that contributes to conscious consumption, it also allows the exercise of citizenship ”.

Schools and institutions wishing to receive copies of the campaign materials should contact us by email ascom@anvisa.gov.br.

Products with suspected irregularities should be reported to the nearest Health Surveillance or by email: ouvidoria@anvisa.gov.br. Information requests to Anvisa's Call Center - 0800 642 9782.

Service:

Health Dial: 0800 61 1997

Dial-Intoxication Guidelines: 0800 722 6001

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Anvisa / Disclosure