A text - asking Council Medicines and Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health.
The purpose of this document is to raise awareness of the dangers of buying medicines over the Internet and counterfeit (fake) drugs.
Online purchases of medicines
As with purchases of other products, it seems that many people buy drugs from the internet. There is no guarantee however that these drugs are safe, effective or good quality. Instead, statistics show that over half of them are dangerous to use.
Over 50% of drugs sold online are falsified!
The method of penetration of counterfeit medicines on the market is mainly the Internet. The legal drug distribution chain and pharmacies are safe because of measures taken at European and international level.
What is counterfeit or fake drugs and what are the risks of their use?
You're lucky if you just lose your money.The "misfortune" may cost you a mere failure of therapy until permanent damage or in worst cases can cause death.
Counterfeit or fake drugs are drugs which are deliberately and fraudulently presented with a false identity (eg composition, label, name), source (eg manufacturer or country of production) or historical (eg documents and certificates, method of distribution).Counterfeit drugs may contain part of the active substance or no other active substance or even a poison!
Many counterfeit medicines does not indicate what substances they contain. May be presented as articles / supplements and contain hazardous substances, drugs or even dangerous drugs!
This phenomenon is particularly common in products "promoted" as "natural" and "auxiliary" to erectile dysfunction, for "easy" weight loss and increase strength and muscle mass in athletes.
Counterfeit drugs are manufactured under appalling conditions and are often contaminated with germs and toxic substances.The quality is reduced and this could potentially damage the non-controlled storage and transportation to the consignees.
How can I distinguish counterfeit drugs from legitimate?
The Medicines Board, the Pharmaceutical Services Ministry of Health, the Cyprus Medical Association (PIS) and the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association (PFS) advise and encourage:
DO NOT EVER BUY DRUGS FROM THE INTERNET!
What types of drugs are the biggest problem?
Examples of deaths and serious damage to health by the use of counterfeit medicines are many:
Presence of rat poison in counterfeit medicines in the United Kingdom, with one deathPresence of toxic substance (OSCS) heparins in the U.S., resulting in 81 deathsPresence of DEG in syrup for children with hundreds of deaths.And other similar events which are recorded daily.
At the beginning, the phenomenon of counterfeit medicines related to drugs used for improving lifestyle, such as medicines for erectile dysfunction, for weight loss, hair growth, etc. For example, products have been banned diet drugs that not mentioned on the label, such as sibutramine and rimonabant: these are withdrawn from the market because it caused deaths and serious side effects.
But today, the problem affects all classes of drugs as medicines to treat cancer, antibiotics, psychotropic, lipid, etc. counterfeit medicines identified for both prototypes and for GENER drugs.
Statistics show that the chances of damage to such drugs is more than givin' you benefit!
The problem touches and Cyprus?
Unfortunately there is no country that is not affected. In Cyprus, after spot checks and laboratory tests have identified products with toxic substances which are most often not mentioned on the label. Hormones, anabolic steroids, alkaloids, active pharmaceutical substances, poisons, etc are founded.
I am an athlete and buy natural products and supplements from the internet. What should I watch;
Stop immediately buy and use drugs or other products that promise to "help" your sport. Such products must use them only if your doctor's or athlet doctor's say and your responsibility.Increased physical effort in conjunction with taking substances - illegal and not declared on the label - which are taken without the knowledge of the athlete, can lead to health problems or even death.
Several such products contain undeclared substances, which are included in the list of banned substances for athletes (doping).Detection of your body can result in sanctions including lifelong exclusion from your favorite sport.
Only 2% of online pharmacies are legitimate!
The online pharmacies to buy the medicines are legitimate?
Only few online pharmacies operate legally. As calculated, the number of these pharmacies reaches only 2% of all online pharmacies. The remaining 98% are illegal. In Cyprus, the supply of medicines on the Internet is illegal and no chemist so far has not secured a license online operation. The Pharmaceutical Services in cooperation with the police, postal services and customs, after seizing control imported drugs that were ordered online and may even blame court persons who engage in illegal imports of medicines.
What is behind the counterfeit medicines and illicit online pharmacies;
In many cases, behind the marketing of counterfeit medicines lies with organized crime and drug traffickers, who thus find it easier profit and lower risk of arrest. The black market counterfeit medicines into billions of euros. Buying drugs from uncontrolled sources on the Internet, and perhaps provide financial support to these circuits.
There aren't safe sources of origin of medicines purchased over the Internet!
There are countries of origin are to be posed special risks?
Counterfeit medicines usually come from countries whose legal framework is not very strict (eg some Asian countries). However, often illegal and dangerous drugs are sent to buyers from Europe and through Europe and through other developed countries, illegal manufacturing and distribution centers. The ingenuity of illegals in terms of disguise and forgery is amazing.
How serious is the problem? (Comment: You Ask even hours?)
The problem is very serious, global and has gotten too heavy.This is illustrated by the initiatives taken by international organizations to fight (WHO, Interpol, EU, Council of State, European Medicines Agency, World Trade Organization, etc.).To successfully combat the phenomenon, however, concerted efforts by all stakeholders.
Where can I get more opinions and information;
The Internet can be a valuable source of information, but for health it is advisable to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Never buy prescription products without medical advice. Physicians are the only professionals who are properly trained so that they can diagnose any health problems and advise you appropriately.Misuse of drugs can mask serious disease and delay the initiation of appropriate therapy, fatal - mostly - results.
Buy medications from legitimate pharmacies and ask the advice of your pharmacist. Counterfeit medicines have not impose Catholicism - thankfully - still controlled legal distribution chain and supply drugs.
The consultant of your health is only the doctor and / or your pharmacist!
Council Medicines - Pharmaceutical Services Ministry of Health
As their goal the protection of public health by ensuring, inter alia, the marketing of medicines that are safe, effective and good quality. This periodic audits to ensure proper preparation, storage and distribution.
For more information or if you have suspicions about counterfeit medicines, contact us:
Tel: 22407116
E-mail: apaphitou@phs.moh.gov.cy
Website: www.moh.gov.cy / phs
The campaign (not incl. of our blog) for market risks of medicines from the Internet and counterfeit medicines support and support and financial support:- The Cyprus Medical Association (PIS)
- The Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association (PFS)
- The Association of Pharmaceutical Companies Cyprus (SFEK)
- The Association of Pharmaceutical Companies for Research and Technology (KEFEA)
- The links manufacturers of medicinal products (Cy.Pha.MA and FARCHIM)
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