Hi, I am a mother of three. When the news of the spread of counterfeit medicines was released, I was literally shocked and I even panicked to the point that I even used herbal medicines for my children in fear of using the wrong drugs. How am I to know which one is a fraud? Can you please help me?

I searched online and there are a lot of websites that help you understand the going ins and outs of counterfeit medicines. You can look into WHO’s website and there are also private sectors like Pfizer’s and The Peterson Group’s. They really have a lot of good things there.

One question though, how can they go away with it in the immigration?

Medicine is one of world’s greatest tool – fake meds deceive people and put lives at risk

Production of counterfeit medicines is a serious issue. What do people have to say about this? Where is the government? Where are these individuals who claim to be “non-profit” for this specific cause?

There are certain factors that might help you identify fake drugs from real ones. Most counterfeit medicines are thicker than the other ones. And there is also a slight change in color

I read about this being easier to sell than opium and other illegal drugs. Billions of dollars are being spent and earned for this business and the penalties are more lenient.

Totally agree! People and governments must be conscious of fake meds.

The spread of such issues are really alarming nowadays. I cannot blame you in doing extra precautions for your children’s health and safety

The leading cities in counterfeiting are Jakarta, Indonesia, Singapore, New Delhi, India and Beijing China. If you are in one of these places, you better get your gear up.

Authorities should pay for each and every record of counterfeit drugs reported in the country. In that case, they would impose greater security.

Good thing that the media has already relayed the information to the public. We once were not really aware of the existence of counterfeit medicines and the risks it incur.

I believe the main cause for the widespread of counterfeit medicines is because of the widespread of poverty as well. Legitimate pharmaceutical companies sell their products at a very high cost. The public has no choice but to find another alternative. They go to generic brands that offer the same cures and claim the same effect. If only these companies lower their price to a consumer-friendly cost, then, people can choose wisely.

Corruption and dishonesty is endemic in the Indonesia, the people are all but proud of it, they brag of it, so it is no surprise that it spreads into the manufacture or distribution of medicines.

Are your kids still sick? Instead of using tablets and capsules, you should consult the doctor already. I bet the professionals would know which legit medicines to use, right?

The government is also bringing out a lot of warnings for this. Hope the campaign continues.

Do authorized people listening here as well? Are we all civilized people here? No member of WHO or DFA in this forum?

Widespread counterfeiting is alarming nowadays. Have you guys heard about tons of complaints against a pharmacy in Thailand last year because they also sell counterfeit medicines? And to think they are a huge company.

India and china are the biggest offenders, those people have no morals!

A lot of countries in Asia are distributing counterfeit medicines since security is more lax than that of already developed countries with technologies far more advanced than those used in these countries.

As I know it, these scammers enter countries by sea since the ports have less strict policies than airports.

Poor people are ignorant and cannot really differentiate between fake and real drugs, not being able to purchase the real medicine tells you something about their economic situation and the high market price of genuine drugs, the real problem is how multinational pharmaceuticals exploit people, its a drug cartel. Counterfeiters exploit poor people who need the medicine but who do not know any better.

Europe, Asia and America are now trying their very best to fight against counterfeit drugs. We should try to understand them.

As all these Country's mentioned are all members of the United Nations and with the W.H.O. also a part of the UN. Why can’t they do something about this through the United Nations?

I know valium as one of the most counterfeited drugs as well as Viagra. I do not know there are still other brands out of there which are rampantly emerging as frauds

Information regarding dealership of counterfeit medicines are to be found in World Health Organization (WHO)’s website: http://www.who.int/en/

How do the elderly take this? Better use herbal medicines and cures then

A friend of mine has a neighbor who died after taking some pills he brought from the street which claims to be sex simulation drugs. Turns out that the pill has glibenclamide which caused severe low sugar and had caused brain damage. He never woke up. It was a situation which made me realize how lethal using of counterfeit medicines could be.

That’s one of the most devastating story, dude. I am suddenly shuddering right now.

I might as well add, corruption in Asian countries is rampant. These corrupt officials help scammers and fraudulent acts to earn more money for their own. In Jakarta, Indonesia where I stayed for a couple of months, people brag about their counterfeit drugs in streets and the officials turned a blind eye on them

tiat0nia7:
India and china are the biggest offenders, those people have no morals!

You're completely wrong. The Chinese completely dominate the production of counterfeit drugs.