How to Fight a Counterfeit Drug Problem

The U.S. pharmaceutical industry's manufacturing operations are based primarily abroad. This causes an increase in the chain of handlers of prescription drugs, resulting in an increased risk for counterfeit attempts.



Counterfeit drugs will often contain ingredients that will cause the chemical reaction normally achieved through use of the genuine drug to simulate authenticity. In the best-case scenario, the use of counterfeit drugs can exacerbate an illness due to a delay in treatment, and in the worst case, can be fatal.

Instructions

How to Ensure your Prescription Drug Purchase is Authentic

• 1

  Purchase prescription drugs only from state-licensed pharmacies located in the United States when filling the prescription in person.

• 2

  Purchase prescription drugs from Internet providers only after checking with your local state board to ensure that the online pharmacy is licensed and reputable. Before purchasing online, it's also a good idea to check with your local pharmacist to familiarize yourself with the prescribed drug. The pharmacist can make you aware of details, such as shape, color and packaging.

• 3

  Contact the FDA if you have any suspicions regarding the authenticity of your drug.

  The FDA has compiled a list of drugs that are at higher-risk for counterfeiting based on factors such as expensive raw materials that can be substituted by an inexpensive product that will produce a similar chemical reaction, but not the healing properties. The counterfeit drug is then sold on the black market for substantially less than the authentic drug, and can be very dangerous for its user.