Source: O Guaruçá - SP, 02/07/2009

Despite the efforts of the government and the Brazilian authorities, the illegal trade of medicines generates billions, in taxes alone, it costs up to R $ 3 billion per year to public coffers. This reality, pointed out by ETCO - Brazilian Institute of Ethics in Competition, shows the financial damage caused by contraband, tax evasion and false or illegal drugs in Brazil.

 

But what draws attention within this universe is the risk to which the Brazilian population is exposed, since, according to ANVISA - National Health Surveillance Agency, 20% of the Brazilian drug market is illegal and among the various forms of illegality (smuggled, counterfeit or unregistered) the health of the consumer pays the bill.

 

Although it is a global problem, the issue concerns the organization of the gangs that operate and the difficulty of monitoring the market, since this is very widespread in small distributors and retailers, which makes it very difficult for the bodies responsible for regulating the sector.

 

The consumer must always be aware, not only of the origin of the medicine, its manufacturers and active ingredients, but also of the care that companies that sell medicines have with the transport and storage of the products. Many remedies when exposed to high temperatures or humidity can have the effectiveness of the active ingredients seriously compromised. And to maintain a quality standard in the entire drug handling process, high investments in training, infrastructure and technology are required.

 

The main factor that contributes to the existence of this illegal market like any other is undoubtedly the price, which is obviously obtained with the lack of product quality, the fundamental and serious difference, is that in the drug market the risk is health consumer.

 

To avoid buying illegal products, the consumer must always be aware of the following points:

 

Miraculous prices: Considering that the drug-producing industries are the same for all pharmacies, the logic is always the same, pharmacies that acquire greater volume are able to practice better prices, but without miracles.

 

Tax coupon: ALWAYS demand the tax coupon on your purchases, it is the guarantee of the origin of the product to the consumer, a counterfeit product is always sold without tax receipt.

 

Packaging: All legal medicines have a symbol, coated with metallized material, which when scraped, like lottery scratch cards, displays the word “quality” and the manufacturer's logo. This design or logo is printed with reactive ink. Also, never buy medications with crumpled packaging, broken seals, labels that come off easily or are erased and smudged.

 

Expiration date: It is mandatory that every drug has the expiration date stamped on its packaging, so it is essential to check if it is within the expiration date at the time of purchase.

 

Batch number: Every medication must have the manufacturing batch number on its packaging, which must also be printed on the product's label or internal card.

 

Registration with the Ministry of Health: Every drug must be registered with the Ministry of Health and duly printed on the packaging with the acronym "MS" followed by the registration number.

 

Responsible pharmacist: The pharmaceutical industries must have a pharmacist responsible for their products. The identification of this professional must be printed, mandatorily, on the packaging with the name, registration number with the Regional Pharmacy Council, identified by the acronym "CRF".

 

When in doubt, when buying a medicine, the customer must ask the pharmacist on duty for help, which is also mandatory in all pharmacies, to identify the product data (validity, etc.) and other clarifications, such as how to administer it, for example . The name of this professional and his registration with the CRF must be written on a plaque and displayed in a visible place in the drugstore.

 

Always keep the tax coupon together with the packaging and card used, as it can be a proof of irregularity, which will subsidize the customer through a complaint. As long as taxes do not fall and informality does not reduce, the consumer's best friend is always information.

 

Editor's Note: Carlos Marques is Commercial Superintendent of Drogaria Onofre and has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical market.