How to identify counterfeit drugs?

(Dan Tri) - In addition to the efforts of authorities, patients need to equip themselves with knowledge to protect themselves from the situation of fake drugs mixed in the market.

At the regular Government press conference on the afternoon of May 6, the Ministry of Public Security informed about the progress and results of the investigation into the recent cases of production and trade of fake milk and fake medicine.

In particular, in the case of manufacturing and trading counterfeit goods, medicines for treatment and prevention of diseases in Thanh Hoa province and many provinces and cities nationwide, Thanh Hoa Provincial Police have issued a decision to prosecute the case and prosecute 14 subjects for the crime of manufacturing and trading counterfeit medicines for treatment and prevention of diseases.

Regarding the case of health protection food produced by Hirbitech Company Limited using fake test results to market, the Investigation Police Agency, Ministry of Public Security has issued a decision to prosecute, arrest and search the residence of 4 subjects of the above company, on charges of violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences.

Proactively equip yourself with knowledge to identify counterfeit drugs

Pharmacist Pham Ngoc Thao Uyen, Head of Pharmacy Department, Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, said that the current situation of production and trading of fake drugs is complicated, with many sophisticated tricks.

Therefore, in addition to the efforts of the authorities, patients need to equip themselves with knowledge to protect themselves.

People wait to see a doctor and get medicine at Nam Saigon International General Hospital (Photo: Hospital).

According to pharmacist Thao Uyen, all information about drugs with circulation registration numbers has been transparently disclosed on the Public Service Portal of the Department of Drug Administration (https://dichvucong.dav.gov.vn/congbothuoc).

People can look up and verify the legality of drugs on the above portal, by entering the drug name or registration number into this system, thereby avoiding the use of counterfeit drugs.

Besides, according to pharmacist Thao Uyen, there are some ways to help people proactively identify fake drugs.

Check packaging and labels

Counterfeit drugs often have poor quality packaging with spelling errors, inconsistent or faded colors. Patients should carefully observe the manufacturer's logo, font, and color compared to previously used drugs.

Detailed characteristics on the outside of the packaging can indicate counterfeit drugs such as: Anti-counterfeit stamps are scratched or easily peeled off; barcodes and QR codes cannot be scanned; manufacturer information is vague and lacks details.

The sealing tape is abnormal, showing signs of having been removed; the printed color is often lighter, the font is unusual; the batch number is often blurred, difficult to read or unclear; the expiry date on the packaging and on the blister pack are inconsistent...

A large quantity of smuggled western medicine was discovered and destroyed by authorities in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department).

Physical characteristics of the drug

Counterfeit drugs often have unusual physical characteristics such as brittle, fragile tablets, uneven surfaces, or different colors between tablets in the same blister pack.

Some specific suspicious signs of the drug: inconsistent size and shape; uneven color, appearance of strange spots or discoloration; inconsistent shape and size between pills in the same box.

Origin and price

Drugs that are too cheap compared to the general market are also suspicious signs. Patients should buy drugs at reputable pharmacies with clear business licenses (such as hospital pharmacies). Do not buy drugs through unofficial channels such as social networks.

Unusual treatment effects

If a familiar medicine suddenly becomes ineffective or strange side effects appear, the patient should doubt the quality of the medicine.

Counterfeit drugs not only do not provide effective treatment but also pose risks of poisoning, allergies, metabolic disorders, liver and kidney damage, and especially aggravate underlying diseases in people with chronic diseases.

"Before using any medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that the medication is suitable for your health condition and does not cause side effects," emphasized the Head of Pharmacy Department of Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital.

How to look up information on registration numbers and licensed drug labels:

Step 1: Access the online public service system of the Department of Drug Administration: https://dichvucong.dav.gov.vn/congbothuoc

Step 2: Select "Drug Name" in the search box and enter the name of the drug you want to look up, then press the "Search" button.

Step 3: Compare with the displayed information. The system will provide details such as: drug name, registration number, content, manufacturing facility and registration facility. You can also view the approved label and instructions for use in the "USE MANUAL/LABEL SAMPLE" column.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/lam-sao-de-nhan-dien-thuoc-gia-20250508130119040.htm