Counterfeit Drugs
Fraud
Drug Packaging
Counterfeit phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors pose significant safety risks. (1/15)
(+info)Poor quality drugs: grand challenges in high throughput detection, countrywide sampling, and forensics in developing countries. (2/15)
(+info)Perceptions and practices of pharmaceutical wholesalers surrounding counterfeit medicines in a developing country: a baseline survey. (3/15)
(+info)Poor quality vital anti-malarials in Africa - an urgent neglected public health priority. (4/15)
(+info)Counterfeiting of drugs in Brazil. (5/15)
(+info)Relationship between treatment-seeking behaviour and artemisinin drug quality in Ghana. (6/15)
(+info)Diffusion of counterfeit drugs in developing countries and stability of galenics stored for months under different conditions of temperature and relative humidity. (7/15)
AIM: To investigate the diffusion of counterfeit medicines in developing countries and to verify the stability of galenic dosage forms to determine the stability of galenics prepared and stored in developing countries. METHODS: We purchased 221 pharmaceutical samples belonging to different therapeutic classes both in authorized and illegal pharmacies and subjected them to European Pharmacopoeia, 7th ed. quality tests. An UV-visible spectrophotometric assay was used to determine the galenics stability under different conditions of temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). RESULTS: A substantial percentage of samples was substandard (52%) and thus had to be considered as counterfeit. Stability tests for galenics showed that the tested dosage forms were stable for 24 months under "standard" (t=25+/-2 degrees C, RH=50+/-5%) conditions. Under "accelerated" (t=40+/-2 degrees C, RH=50+/-5%) conditions, samples were stable for 3 months provided that they were stored in glass containers. Stability results of samples stored in "accelerated" conditions were similar to those obtained by on site in tropical countries and could so supply precious information on the expected stability of galenics in tropical countries. CONCLUSION: This study gives useful information about the presence of counterfeit medicinal products in the pharmacies of many developing countries. This should serve as an alarm bell and an input for the production of galenics. We recommend setting up of galenic laboratories in developing countries around the globe. (+info)Determination of local anesthetics in illegal products using HPLC method with amperometric detection. (8/15)
An HPLC method with amperometric detection was developed for analysis of two local anesthetics (lidocaine and benzocaine) in products for delaying ejaculation illegally marketed in Polish sex shops. Chromatographic elution on an RP column C18 with mobile phase composed of acetate buffer with acetonitrile, provides an optimal separation not only of active substances but also electroactive preservatives which are occasionally added to cosmetic creams (methylparaben and propylparaben). Application of glassy carbon electrode as a working electrode and a procedure with pulsed potential waveforms enables a sensitive, accurate measurement within a relatively short analysis time (250 s). This method has been successfully employed for the determination of local anesthetics in products under investigation. The obtained results show that most samples contained therapeutic concentrations of lidocaine or benzocaine. According to European law, a sale of products containing lidocaine or benzocaine outside the pharmacy sector is forbidden. (+info)Counterfeit drugs are defined as medicines that are produced and sold with the intent to deceptively represent its origin, authenticity, or identity, generally made to resemble a genuine drug, in order to mislead the consumer into believing that they are buying an authentic product. These drugs may contain incorrect ingredients, improper dosages, or potentially harmful substances, and can pose serious health risks to consumers. Counterfeit drugs can be found in various forms, including pills, capsules, injectables, and topical creams, and can be purchased through illegal channels such as street vendors, online marketplaces, or unauthorized websites. It is important for consumers to obtain their medications from reputable sources, such as licensed pharmacies and healthcare providers, to ensure that they are receiving safe and effective treatments.
In the context of medical law and ethics, fraud refers to a deliberate and intentional deception or misrepresentation of facts, motivated by personal gain, which is made by a person or entity in a position of trust, such as a healthcare professional or organization. This deception can occur through various means, including the provision of false information, the concealment of important facts, or the manipulation of data.
Medical fraud can take many forms, including:
1. Billing fraud: This occurs when healthcare providers submit false claims to insurance companies or government programs like Medicare and Medicaid for services that were not provided, were unnecessary, or were more expensive than the services actually rendered.
2. Prescription fraud: Healthcare professionals may engage in prescription fraud by writing unnecessary prescriptions for controlled substances, such as opioids, for their own use or to sell on the black market. They may also alter prescriptions or use stolen identities to obtain these drugs.
3. Research fraud: Scientists and researchers can commit fraud by manipulating or falsifying data in clinical trials, experiments, or studies to support predetermined outcomes or to secure funding and recognition.
4. Credentialing fraud: Healthcare professionals may misrepresent their qualifications, licenses, or certifications to gain employment or admitting privileges at healthcare facilities.
5. Identity theft: Stealing someone's personal information to obtain medical services, prescription medications, or insurance benefits is another form of medical fraud.
Medical fraud not only has severe legal consequences for those found guilty but also undermines the trust between patients and healthcare providers, jeopardizes patient safety, and contributes to rising healthcare costs.
'Drug legislation' refers to the laws and regulations that govern the production, distribution, sale, possession, and use of medications and pharmaceutical products within a given jurisdiction. These laws are designed to protect public health and safety by establishing standards for drug quality, ensuring appropriate prescribing and dispensing practices, preventing drug abuse and diversion, and promoting access to necessary medications. Drug legislation may also include provisions related to clinical trials, advertising, packaging, labeling, and reimbursement. Compliance with these regulations is typically enforced through a combination of government agencies, professional organizations, and legal penalties for non-compliance.
Drug packaging refers to the process and materials used to enclose, protect, and provide information about a pharmaceutical product. The package may include the container for the medication, such as a bottle or blister pack, as well as any accompanying leaflets or inserts that contain details about the drug's dosage, side effects, and proper use.
The packaging of drugs serves several important functions:
1. Protection: Proper packaging helps to protect the medication from physical damage, contamination, and degradation due to exposure to light, moisture, or air.
2. Child-resistance: Many drug packages are designed to be child-resistant, meaning they are difficult for young children to open but can still be easily accessed by adults.
3. Tamper-evidence: Packaging may also include features that make it easy to detect if the package has been tampered with or opened without authorization.
4. Labeling: Drug packaging must comply with regulatory requirements for labeling, including providing clear and accurate information about the drug's ingredients, dosage, warnings, and precautions.
5. Unit-dose packaging: Some drugs are packaged in unit-dose form, which means that each dose is individually wrapped or sealed in a separate package. This can help to reduce medication errors and ensure that patients receive the correct dosage.
6. Branding and marketing: Drug packaging may also serve as a tool for branding and marketing the product, with distinctive colors, shapes, and graphics that help to differentiate it from similar products.