Counterfeit drug information - Beacon Pharmaceuticals

Counterfeit Drug Risk!

It is important to be aware of the risks associated with counterfeit drugs. To protect yourself, it is recommended that you purchase medications only from state-licensed pharmacies in your country.

The FDA is also taking steps to ensure the safety, quality, and integrity of the U.S. drug supply chain.

If you suspect that you have received a counterfeit medication, you should report it to the appropriate authorities.

Check and identify fake medicines

Counterfeit medicines are a serious problem worldwide, with studies showing that approximately 10-40% of medicines sold in low- and middle-income countries are counterfeit. In the United States, less than 1% of medicines sold in retail pharmacies are counterfeit. To identify fake medicines, you can look for the following signs: 5. QR code verification: Scan the QR code printed on the medicine container and verify the product authenticity. It's important to note that these indicators won't be present with every counterfeit, and the absence of these signs doesn't mean the medication is authentic. If you suspect that you have a counterfeit medication, it's best to contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Spelling errors: Misspellings of the product name, manufacturer, or main ingredients on medicine bottle labels or other packaging are the biggest, and some of the most noticeable, mistakes.

Medication appearance: Your medication could change size and shape, and any sudden differences between refills should give you pause. Call your doctor or pharmacy to confirm any changes

Medication quality: Legitimate pills will always have a factory-made appearance. If your tablets are cracked, have a bubbled-up coating, or are crumbly, take notice. Moldy pills or jars containing excess powder or crystals should also be considered suspicious.

Compromised packaging: Medication that comes in the original manufacturer packaging should be sealed. If it's open, appears tampered with, or just doesn't look right, it's worth checking with the pharmacist.

QR code verification: Scan the QR code printed on the medicine container and verify the product authenticity. It's important to note that these indicators won't be present with every counterfeit, and the absence of these signs doesn't mean the medication is authentic. If you suspect that you have a counterfeit medication, it's best to contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately.