Fake Medicine

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Fake Medicine

By: Licudine and MacaraigFake Medicines sold at the street of Africa

Fake Medicines at the Philippines

Fake Medicines at China

Counterfeit or Fake Medicine

Counterfeit medicine is fake medicine. It may be contaminated or contain the wrong or no active ingredient. They couldhave the right active ingredient but at the wrong dose. Counterfeit drugs are illegal and may be harmful to your health.

About 100,000 deaths a year in Africa are linked to the counterfeit drug trade, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The British think-tank, International Policy Network, estimates that globally, 700,000 deaths a year are caused by fake malaria and tuberculosis drugs.

For someone with advanced technical know-how and a devious mind, a piece of chalk or some flour or starch can be shaped into a tablet or pill. With the naked eye, its almost impossible to tell its a copycat. Labeling and packaging are often imitated to perfection.

Multibillion-dollar illicit tradeThe international sources of fake medicines are China, India, and Pakistan.The local sources are found in Manila, Cebu, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon.The country's pharmaceutical industry is a P112 billion business.

Funding TerrorismIn March 2006, the U.S. Attorneys Office indicted 18 people for a multimillion-dollar international conspiracy to smuggle untaxed cigarettes, counterfeit Viagra and other goods to raise money for the Middle East terrorist group Hezbollah. The alleged scheme, operated from 1996 to 2004, was based in Dearborn, Michigan and received counterfeit Viagra from China and Eastern Europe for distribution across the United States.

Cases of Fake MedicinesCounterfeit Drugs in the U.S.In the 1980s, when the U.S. drug supply was open to foreign medicines, many women taking birth control were getting pregnant. After many complaints and investigations, it was discovered that they were taking counterfeit pills of foreign origin.Members of Congress took action to help prevent this from happening again and passed a bill called the Prescription Drug Marketing Act. This bill closed the U.S. drug supply system to help prevent foreign counterfeit drugs from getting in the hands of American.

the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria issued a press release stating that a large consignment of fake anti-malarial generic pharmaceuticals labelled `Made in India' were, in fact, found to have been produced in China.

Cases of Fake Drugs in the PhilippinesSource: http://philnews.ph/Sincere Drug Storewith eight branches and one warehouse sited inBacolod Cityhad been raid by authorities of theNational Bureau of Investigation(NBI).Under the direction of Executive Judge Amor Reyes from the NCR Regional Trial Court Branch 21,a search warrant was handed.Inaccordanceto the complaint given by theUnilab Laboratories, the raid led by Intellectual Property Rights Division of NBI based in Manila.

According to the owner of Sincere Drug Store,Ricky Enriquez, the raid was not fair saying that he was seemingly singled out since he decided to stop purchasing medicines from Unilab Laboratories for the past five years. Enriquez came up to this decision for the reason that he wanted to have a supplier that could offer him cheaper medicines.

He also added that aside from him, there are still other drug stores which purchase medicines on the same distributor he has at present.Meanwhile, Monsanto stated that among those recovered fake medicines were Alaxan, Neo Aspilets, Biogesic, Diatabs, InsulinandSulmux. On verification conducted by an assigned Unilab representative, it was declared that the medicines were counterfeited and ineffective.

The violation falls under theRepublic Act 8293better known as theIntellectual Property Rights Code of the Philippines, specifically to Section 155 in connection to the Section 170 had been charged to the owner of the Sincere Drug Store,Ricky Enriquez.

Source: http://www.istorya.net/MANILA, Philippines - Based on Department of Health (DOH) figures, 10% or 1 of every 10 medicines in the country is fake, according to the Samahan Laban sa Pekeng Gamot (Samahan)."Consumers unwittingly buy from drug stores with counterfeit medicines. If that patient dies, no one will be going to report anymore because the patient is already dead," said Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag, Samahan spokesman and chair of the Cosmetics Committee of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA).

"Consumers unwittingly buy from drug stores with counterfeit medicines. If that patient dies, no one will be going to report anymore because the patient is already dead," said Dr. Maria Minerva Calimag, Samahan spokesman and chair of the Cosmetics Committee of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA).

Dr. Calimag said fake medicines should be flushed out immediately from market.She said the true extent of the counterfeiting problem is "hidden" and that the 10% estimate is based only on cases reported to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA)."From the point of view of the PMA, we strongly recommend that we buy only from Food and Drugs Administration-listed pharmacy. Source is important. As doctors we do our diagnosis, and then we depend on medicines to work," she added.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/04/01/pakistani-nabbed-for-fake-drugs/Manila, Philippines The Philippine National Police (PNP) warned the people yesterday to be wary of popular medicines and vitamins they are buying after the conscation of counterfeit drugs and the arrest of a foreigner selling them.Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr., head of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said police are now hunting down the two other foreign cohorts of 54-yearold Pakistani Mohammed Yousof Ali who was collared in a raid in Bacoor, Cavite.

Pagdilao identied them as Nasser Ali, alias Mohammed Nassrer Ali and Mohammed Faisal Ali, alias Faisal Ali and Yasser Ali.They are members of a syndicate which has been engaging in the importation, repacking, and distribution of fake medicines for about three years and seven months now, said Pagdilao.

Seized from them were 10 pieces of transparent plastic bags containing several assorted pharmaceutical products, including 500 pieces of Loperamide Diatabs in two milligrams capsules, four pieces of Carbocistein Solmux in 500-milligram capsule, 25 pieces of Cytotec in 200-milligram tablet, 36 pieces of Paracetamol Biogesic in 300-milligram tablet, 90 pieces of Mefenamic Acid Dolfenal in 500-milligram tablet;Five boxes of Roxithromycin in 150-milligram tablet, 57 pieces of Dermovate Ointment, 52 pieces of Stresstabs in 600-milligram tablet, and four pieces of Solmux in 500milligram tablet.

All of them are fake based on the result of the examination by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), said Chief Inspector Jay Agcaoili, head of the Batangas CIDG.These fake medicines were being distributed in small unsuspecting stores in Batangas and Cavite provinces as well as in Quezon City and in some towns in Cagayan Valley region, he added. (Aaron B. Recuenco)

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/443225/counterfeit-drugs-worth-p700-million-seized-in-binondo-raidMANILA, Philippines Authorities on Thursday seized some P700 million worth of fake medicines and health supplements during a raid on a warehouse in Binondo, Manila.The raid on the warehouse along Roman Street was conducted by operatives from the Bureau of Customs, Intellectual Property Office and National Bureau of Investigation.Among the fake medicines and health supplement seized by the operatives were about 60,000 tablets and capsules of Viagra Happy Hour, a sex enhancement medicine; 132,000 capsules with Maitong brand; over 60,000 Ballet Dancer slimming capsules; slimming tea; anti-itch creams; cough syrups; and fish liver oils.

Authorities said they were still trying to determine the country of origin of the fake goods.According to Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, they enforced a warrant of seizure and detention for the contrabands following a thorough investigation and surveillance which confirmed earlier reports that the medicines and health supplements were not only smuggled, but were also counterfeit goods.Had these fake medicines and supplements been sold in the local market, the risks it posed could have been really alarming, Biazon said, noting that the medicines were not certified by the government to be safe for human consumption.

When buying online medicineConsumers should avoid the following:Sites that are located outside of the United StatesSites that dont indicate any physical addressSites that dont have a license by the relevant state board of pharmacySites without a licensed pharmacist to answer questionsSites that do not require a prescription

When buying in PharmacyBuy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and get a receipt. Do not buy medicines from open markets.Ask the pharmacist whether the drug has the same active ingredient as the one that you were taking.Make sure that the medicine is in its original packaging.Look closely at the packaging. Sometimes poor-quality printing or otherwise strange-looking packaging will indicate a counterfeit product.

What risks are associated with counterfeit medicines?One of the biggest risks of counterfeit medicines is that patients may not get the therapeutic benefit expected from the product. For example, a drug for shrinking a cancerous tumor may not benefit the patient because it contains none, or too little, of the active ingredient. Conversely, the product may contain too much active ingredient or other potentially dangerous contaminants, which could also be harmful.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8203]AN ACT OF PROHIBITING COUNTERFEIT DRUGS, PROVIDINGPENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS AND APPROPRIATINGFUNDS THEREFOR

SECTION 4Prohibited Acts. The following acts are declared unlawful and therefore prohibited;a) The manufacture, sale, or offering for sale, donation, distribution, trafficking, brokering, exportation, or importation or possession of counterfeit drugsb) Forging, counterfeiting, simulating or falsely representing, or without proper authority, using any mark, stamp, tag, label or other identification mark or device.

c) Photocopying, duplicating, altering, printing, transferring, obliterating or removing the approved label or any part thereof, lawfully belonging to another person, for the purpose of using such label or a part thereof on any counterfeit drug.d) Making, selling, or concealing any punch, dye, plate or any other equipment or instrument designed to print, imprint or reproduce the trademark, trade name or other identifying mark of another registered producer or any likeness thereof.

SECTION 7.Administrative Sanctions Upon finding that the drugs examined are counterfeit and the determination of the parties liable thereof, the Bureau shall impose any or all of the following sanctions:a) permanent closure of the establishment concerned and the revocation of its license to business;b) a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000);c) upon order of the Court, forfeiture, confiscation, and destruction of products found to be counterfeited and the equipment, instruments, and other articles used in violation of this Act;

d) filing of an appropriate proceedings against the registered pharmacist with the Professional Regulations Commission for cancellation of professional license;e) filing of criminal charges against the violator (s), which can be instituted independently from the administrative case: Provided, That the dismissal of the criminal case shall not lift the closure order, except when it is a dismissal on the merits or for lack of basis: Provided, further, That the withdrawal of the private criminal complaint shall not be a ground for the dismissal of the administrative proceedings; andf) permanent disqualification of the person concerned, whether natural or juridical, from owning or operating an establishment engaged in any business activity under the supervision of the Bureau.

SECTION 8.Penalties. The commission of any of the acts prohibited under Sections 4 and 6 of this Act shall be punished by:a) imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day; but not more than six(6)years for more possession of counterfeit drugs as provided for in Section 4(b) hereof; orb) imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day, but not more than ten (10) years or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) or both such imprisonment and fine at the discretion of the court in any other case mentioned in Section 4 hereof; or

c) imprisonment of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day, but not more than two(2)years and four (4) months if the counterfeit drug is intended for animals; ord) imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than ten

(10)years for any manufacturer, seller or distributor who shall conceal, substitute, dispose or destroy any drug as may have been segregated and sealed by the Bureau or who shall break, alter or tamper any mark or seal used by the Bureau to identify those segregated drugs as provided for under Section 6(a) of this Act. Any other person who breaks, alters or tampers any mark or seal used by the Bureau to identify the segregated drugs shall suffer the penalty of not less than six (6) months and one (1) day, but not more than six (6) years imprisonment; or

e) if, as a result of the use of the drug found to be counterfeit, the illness sought to be cured is aggravated or physical injury or suffering results therefrom, a punishment of imprisonment from twelve (12 years to fifteen (15) years and a fine ranging from One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000) to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) shall be meted out; or

f) should a counterfeit drug be the proximate cause of death of a victim, who unknowingly purchased and took a counterfeit drug, the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000) to Five million pesos (P5,000,000) shall be imposed.

Harmful Ingredients Found In Counterfeit Medicines Have Included:

Boric acid -used as anantiseptic,insecticide,flame retardant,neutron absorber, or precursor to other chemical compounds. Leaded highway paint Floor polish Heavy metals Nickel- used incoin Arsenic - used in the production ofpesticides, treated wood products, herbicides, andinsecticides. Brick dust and chalk

THE THREAT OF FAKE DRUGS: CONSEQUENCES, CAUSES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONSThe business of fake drugs is a lucrative crime that is increasing annually worldwide. It causes therapeutic failure, drug resistance and economic sabotage. Some of the major causes of widespread drug counterfeiting include corruption, inadequate technology for protection of the identity of genuine drugs as well as lack of political will including lack of vigilance and advocacy by the healthcare providers. Combating this menace requires both local and international efforts. This report is aimed at examining the problem of drug counterfeiting business with emphasis on the causes and possible solutions.

HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG COUNTERFEITINGAntibiotic resistance:The relationship between counterfeit drugs and antibiotic resistance is two fold. Although, drug counterfeiting is one of the important causes of antibiotic resistance in developing countries, one also has to keep in mind the likelihood of false reports of antimicrobial resistance in an area where drug counterfeiting is widespread

Therapeutic failure:Therapeutic failure may also be associated with the use of fake drugs containing insufficient or no active ingradient, leading to loss of confidence by the patients on the conventional drugs and public health program. An estimated 700,000 deaths annually are caused by fake antimalarials and tuberculous agents, suggesting that the total annual mortality due to the menace will definitely be much higher (Harriset al., 2009).

Various instances where fake drugs resulted in deaths due to failure to treat life-threatening conditions have been reported in the literature. In 2001 about 192,000 people were reported to have died in China as a result of fake drugs. Also about 2500 people died in Niger following the administration of counterfeits of meningococcal-vaccines (containing no active ingredient) to some 60,000 people during the 1995 meningitis epidemic (Cockburnet al., 2005).

Toxicity:Acute renal failure due to poisoning from diethylene glycol packaged as a cough syrup which resulted in hundreds of deaths in Haiti, Bangladesh, Nigeria, India and Argentina are examples of the potentially fatal effects of counterfeit drugs containing a toxic ingredient in place of the original active ingredient (WHO, 1995; Hanifet al., 1995; OBrienet al., 1998). Also as recent as 2008,62 deaths in the US have been attributed to the use of adulterated heparin from China (Harriset al., 2009).

Economic impact of drug counterfeiting:Economic loss as a result of drug-counterfeiting is enormous and appears to be increasing annually. According to the WHO, about 32 billion US dollars were lost to drug counterfeiting business in 2004 (WHO, 2006). This increased to 40 billion US dollars in 2006 and is projected to reach 75 billion US dollars in 2010 (WHO, 2006; Bate and Boateng, 2007). Many pharmaceutical companies are deprived of their rightful profits due to the unjust competition from this brutal crime and have even resulted in the collapse of some of the companies (Akunyili, 2005b).

Makers of fake drugs:Why will someone want to make fake drugs? Drug venture is quiet a lucrative business. Routine activity theory of crime prevention states that: A crime occurs when a suitable target and a potential offender meet at a suitable time and place lacking capable guardianship (Cohen and Felson, 1979; Felson, 1986, 1994). This theory is useful in understanding the origin of crimes including drug counterfeiting. Drug counterfeiting business thrives better in a place where the drugs are relatively scarce of the prices are high . According to the WHO, an estimated 2 billion people globally have limited access to essential drugs (WHO, 2004) which is attributed to poverty, high cost of drugs, inadequate health facilities and corruption (Cohenet al., 2007).

COMBATING DRUG COUNTERFEITING

Combating drug counterfeiting is a daunting task that requires collaboration from international community. This is why WHO recently, alerted the international community on such need (WHO, 2005). Cooperation as well as exchange of information between governments and drug companies in combating this menace is expected to provide better results. Experts believed that the big pharmaceutical industries have a lot of data that could help in combating the problem but are unwilling to reveal it (Gibson, 2004). There is a catch 22 situation in combating counterfeiting.

The industries lose money to fake drug peddlers but the negative publicity that usually follows any case of drug counterfeiting is a major fear for the industries whose products were counterfeited. This is also true for countries that are major exporters of drugs. It has been reported that some governments are involved in concealing information on the quantity of fake drugs circulating within their territories to avoid branding of their other products as fake. The emergence of drug counterfeiting business on the internet that seriously affected profits coupled with litigations from affected patients targeted against them have forced major drug companies to start taking action on this issue in the developed nations. However, they remain uninterested in tackling the problem in the developing countries.

CONCLUSION

The menace of drug counterfeiting is a serious public problem. Reducing or preventing the problem is primary duty of every responsible nation. Drug industries, healthcare providers, consumers and governments are necessary partners in this regard. Tackling corruption at various levels of the pharmaceutical systems is indispensable for the success of the crusade against fake drugs. Also, due to the limited resources of the developing countries that are worst affected with this problem as well as the infectious nature of the problem, there is need for international collaboration in the fight against this crime.More studies examining the efficacy of the various strategies tried worldwide against drug counterfeiting may be quiet helpful in reducing or even preventing this menace.

The End