Counterfeit drugs pose a grave threat to everyone. According to some estimates, more than 10 percent of all pharmaceuticals in the global supply chain are counterfeit.
Counterfeit medicines are products deliberately and fraudulently manufactured to be mistaken for legitimate drugs. In the words of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, counterfeit medicine is fake medicine—pure and simple.
While counterfeit drugs are a growing problem, there are ways to detect them and keep from suffering their ill effects—or being swindled out of money.
- Use only drugs that have been prescribed by a physician after a physical examination, and fill the prescription only at a legitimate pharmacy.
- Don’t buy drugs from sites that sell prescription drugs without a prescription.
- Buy medicines only from state-licensed pharmacies that are located in the United States. Find your state’s contact information at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website at www.napb.info.
- Look for the VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) seal at online pharmacies. A list of VIPPS-verified pharmacies is available at www.vipps.info.
- Don’t buy drugs from other countries. Not only is it illegal, but it could harm your health.
If using an online pharmacy, make sure it has a legitimate bricks-and-mortar street address, a licensed physician as well as a pharmacist on duty and available.