Q. What is a counterfeit medicine?

A. Counterfeit medicines are made by someone other than the original manufacturer. They are often made and distributed by the same people who make money from "hard drugs" (e.g. organised crime syndicates, illegal drug cartels etc).

Whilst some counterfeit medicines may have the correct active ingredient, some are dangerous as they may:
• contain inappropriate ingredients
• have been made in extremely unsanitary conditions
• contain ingredients that have not been through safety tests
• be contaminated because of wrong storage conditions

Genuine medicines are subject to comprehensive testing during their development, production and marketing to standards set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Association. Potential risks and adverse effects are researched thoroughly and reported in the patient information leaflet. Naturally, such safeguards will not apply to counterfeits.

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