A counterfeit pharmaceutical is any drug that has been made, altered, or inappropriately labeled by an unauthorized source. It is possible for brand name, generic, over-the-counter, and prescription-only drugs to be counterfeited.
Common issues with counterfeit drugs include:
- None of the listed active ingredients
- Too much or too little of active ingredients
- Substituted active ingredient
- No oversight or quality control
- Contaminants
- Expired ingredients
- Altered or fake packaging
Why are counterfeit pharmaceuticals dangerous?
Individuals take medications to deal with specifically targeted health issues. Without proper oversight and quality control, even a drug containing the ingredients the packaging describes could harm the individual taking them.
Some of the risks of taking counterfeit drugs:
- Worsening of existing medical conditions
- Incorrect dosages
- Allergic reactions and side effects
- Hazardous substitutions and contaminants
- May build undesired resistance to drug, as with antibiotics
- Death
How likely is it that a Utah consumer will encounter counterfeit drugs?
In general, due to stringent regulations, counterfeits are much less an issue here than they are in developing countries. However, there have recently been three well-known cases of counterfeit drugs in the American market:
- Lipitor – used to lower cholesterol
- Procrit – which treats anemia
- Alli – aids in weight loss
Unfortunately, counterfeit medication is a growing problem all over the world. Because of these recent breaches and their resulting pharmaceutical injuries, the FDA has dialed up their efforts to protect consumers from dangerous counterfeits.
What can I do to protect my family from pharma fraud?
Always purchase prescription medications from state-licensed pharmacies in the United States. State-licensed pharmacies are subjected to scrutiny and regulations, as opposed to sources from out of the country or on the Internet.
Be sure you know your drug. Inspect packaging and container seals to be sure they haven’t been tampered with. If you notice any changes in the appearance or performance of the drug, follow up as soon as possible with your pharmacist. He or she will be able to tell you if there have been any known manufacturing or distribution changes that may be responsible for the differences, or if there is genuine cause for concern.
While breaches are rare, they do occur. In the rare event of counterfeit pharmaceuticals ending up in a state-licensed pharmacy, remember that:
- You are more likely to hear about the problem through a recall or the news before you are affected.
- It will be easier to trace the breach back to the responsible parties.
- You are more likely to find out what prospective health risks were involved with the fraudulent drug so you can obtain necessary treatments as soon as possible.
- You are more likely to find out who is liable for any Utah pharmaceutical injury resulting from defective drugs.
If you’ve been injured because of a counterfeit or defective drug, you may be eligible to take part in a Utah drug injury lawsuit. To learn more, schedule a no-cost case review with compassionate Salt Lake personal injury attorney James Esparza. Call our offices today at 800-745-4050.