Identifying counterfeit products

In one instance in the UK, the counterfeit product sold via a website could easily be identified. Although to a layperson’s eye the fake tablets may have looked like the genuine medicine, they were supplied loose in a plastic bag. People were told that the tablets were in a plastic bag because they could otherwise have been stolen in the post. Some patients received a photocopy of the patient information leaflet with their treatment. At no point were any of the patients asked to supply their prescription. In addition, the counterfeit tablets were sold at a higher price than the original.

Websites like the one supplying the drugs described are operated by international networks of criminals, which specialise in supplying “lifestyle” drugs (such as treatments for erectile dysfunction or hair loss and slimming pills) and natural remedies. Thousands of patients from the UK and other European countries may have already fallen victims to their illegal activities.

Patients are not defenceless against counterfeit medicines. The best way to guard against counterfeits is to be sceptical of any offers which rely on unauthorised channels of supply. The vital question is: can I trust my supplier?

Many medicines in the UK and Ireland are only available through the pharmacy and in addition, many require a doctor’s prescription. This will be indicated on the pack (POM – prescription-only medicine).

If a private individual offers you prescription-only medicines (on, for example an internet auction site, by email, in a club or at the gym) you should not only refuse their offer but report the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Some people in the UK and Ireland may buy prescription-only medicines on the internet without having to produce a prescription. What they receive often comes without the correct packaging and without the necessary patient information leaflet.

Counterfeit medicines are often practically indistinguishable from their genuine cousins. Even if the tablet, or pack, looks just like the real thing, that is no guarantee that it really is genuine - counterfeiters are professionals.

If you do have any suspect medicines, you should always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice, particularly if you think that the medicine is causing you to experience different effects from the ones you are used to or have been informed about; or if anything looks amiss with the packaging.

The main source of counterfeit medicines in the UK is the internet. Although there are certified reliable pharmacies online, there are also suppliers who may deal in counterfeit medicines.

Read more on this on the Online shopping page

If you buy medicines while on holiday, ensure that the source you are buying from is a reputable one. It is best to take sufficient supplies of any regular medication you require to last the duration of your stay.

Parallel imports are a legal form of trade across the European Economic Area. This means that a supplier can legally import a genuine medicine from another EEA country and exchange the original outer packaging (mostly a folding box) with their local version or add appropriate labelling to the packaging so that it can be distributed in their own country. If such an importer distributes a Bayer HealthCare product in their own packaging, the company cannot give an opinion on the authenticity of the product on the basis of the packaging alone. However, parallel-imported medicines must retain the original internal packaging (e.g. the blister pack). When such medicines are repackaged, the new packaging must indicate the company responsible for the repackaging. Your pharmacist will be able to give you more information and advice on this.

Basic information on parallel imports can be found on the ABPI’s website on: http://www.abpi.org.uk/publications/default.asp.