Tips to protect yourself from counterfeit drugs and save your health

By ETCO
08/02/2012

Source: O Serrano, 23/09/2007

Informality in the pharmaceutical sector and its risks to consumers' health are themes that have been in vogue in recent days, especially after the well-known siege of the gang that sold appetite moderators illegally. Other topics have also been widely discussed: - Danger of counterfeiting medicines; - The indiscriminate use of drugs that are often not prescribed by a medical professional.


The surveillance agencies have taken several actions to make consumers aware of the risks that the improper use of products from the illegal industry can generate.


The topic is not on the agenda of large newspapers for nothing: they are serious problems that endanger the lives of thousands of people, every day. For this reason, the Sectorial Chamber of Medicines of ETCO - Brazilian Institute of Ethical Competition, collaborating with this initiative, advises the consumer to be aware of the following tips, which may be useful when purchasing a medicine. Write down:


1) ONLY PURCHASE MEDICINES IN PHARMACIES AND DRUGS, preferably establishments you know. NEVER BUY MEDICINES AT FAIRS AND CAMELETS.


2) ALWAYS CHECK the medicine packaging:
The. The expiration date of the product is shown.
B. If the product name is well printed and can be easily read.
ç. If there are no tears, erasures or any information that has been erased or scraped.
d. The name of the pharmacist responsible for manufacture and the number of his registration with the Regional Pharmacy Council are stated.
and. The register of the responsible pharmacist must be in the same state in which the drug factory is located.
f. The number of the drug registration with the Ministry of Health is shown.


3) SERUMS AND SYRUPES MUST COME WITH SEAL. This is mandatory for all liquid medicines. DO NOT BUY medications with crumpled packaging, broken seals, labels that come off easily or are erased and smudged.


4) THE INSERT CANNOT BE A XEROX COPY. If the package insert is not original, do not accept the product.


5) ALWAYS DEMAND THE FISCAL NOTE from the pharmacy or drugstore. It must contain, in addition to the name of the drug, the batch number. SAVE WITH YOU the invoice, the packaging and the card or bottle of the medicine being used. They are your proof, in case of irregularity, for you to file a complaint.


6) JUST TAKE The informality in the pharmaceutical sector and its risks to the health of the consumer are topics that are in vogue in the last days, especially after the so reported siege to the gang that sold appetite moderators illegally. Other topics have also been widely discussed: - Danger of counterfeiting of medicines; - The indiscriminate use of drugs that are often not prescribed by a medical professional