Source: Agora Campo Grande - Campo Grande / MS - 27/07/2010

When buying a medicine, the consumer must pay attention to the characteristics of the packaging that certify that the product is not counterfeit or irregular. Fake drugs can cause health problems, aggravate symptoms that already exist and even lead to death. According to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), the safety items that must exist in the medicine box are the scratch card and the seal or seal that makes the packaging inviolable. The scratch card is on one of the two sides of the packaging, has reactive paint that does not peel and when rubbed with a metal object it exposes the word “quality” and the company logo. Another important note is to check that the packaging has not been tampered with and is in good condition.

Consumers and healthcare professionals can recognize a real drug by checking information such as the drug's trade name on the packaging - absent in the case of generic drugs; generic name of the active substance; name, address and CNPJ of the registration holder in Brazil; manufacturer's name and product manufacturing location. The manufacturing and expiration dates, with a minimum of month and year, must also appear on the packaging in addition to the batch number, the telephone number of the Customer Service (SAC), conservation care with indication of the temperature range and storage conditions and the acronym MS followed by the registration number with the Ministry of Health. The registration starts with the number 1 and has thirteen digits. The medication must be sealed and the label must be written in Portuguese. Many counterfeit drugs are misspelled. Anvisa advises that pharmacies and drugstores must have Authorization for the Operation of the Company (AFE) and must have Special Authorization (AE) for the sale of controlled drugs. The agency also warns that people do not buy medicines from street vendors, at fairs or through Internet. The consumption of medicines requires care on the part of consumers, who should only buy them in pharmacies and drugstores with the guidance of the pharmacist.

If you suspect a fake product, the consumer should seek health surveillance or report it to Procon by phone 151, on the agency's website (www.procon.ms.gov.br) or in person at the headquarters of the superintendence, located at 13 June Street, 930, corner of Maracaju Street. The consumer is an important ally of the public authorities in the fight against counterfeiting, smuggling and irregular trade in medicines. Anvisa also receives a complaint by email (ombudsman@anvisa.gov.br), by calling 0800 642 9782 from the Call Center or dial Saúde 0800 61 1997.

Inspection

Cooperation agreement signed earlier this month between Procon / MS, the Specialized Police Station for the Suppression of Crimes against Consumer Relations (Decon) and the Regional Pharmacy Council provides for the exchange of information and inspection together of pharmaceutical establishments in the State. In Mato Grosso do Sul there are 967 pharmacies, 264 in Campo Grande and 703 in the interior. According to the president of the Regional Pharmacy Council, Ronaldo Abrão, out of the total number of establishments in the state, 44 are illegal, 12 of which are located in the capital. The pharmacy is considered clandestine when it is not registered with the Regional Council of the profession, does not have a responsible pharmaceutical professional or also, as in some cases, is involved in smuggling drugs or selling counterfeit drugs.