The pharmacist urged South African people to be warned for counterfeit and standard pharmaceuticals and warned that the results could be fatal.
Archmed’s warnings from Tafadzwa Makuro were developed this week’s Africa’s first national action plan (NAP), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and fought for counterfeit medicines led by South African health product regulatory authorities (SAHPRA).
Makuro said that patients should find signs of stories that the product may not be real.
“A typical spelling error, faint printing, missing number omission, or a pavement that looks different from the expiration date must cause an alarm.”
“Let’s look at the medicine itself purchased from an unofficial supplier, street seller or unlicensed online site, very low price or abnormalities of the product. The lack of appropriate patient information leaflets is another warning signal.”
She advised patients to always buy from a licensed pharmacy or medical service provider, check the expiration date and placement number, and compare them with previously received medicines.
Makuro said, “If you ask a pharmacist or ask a pharmacist, ask the pharmacist. Some products include QR code, hologram or barcodes that can be found.
She said that certain lifestyle medicines, such as weight loss products, sexual strengthening agents and bodybuilding supplements purchased online, are particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting.
“Chronic state pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, anti malaria, tuberculosis treatment and blood pressure or diabetes purification, are most commonly forged because they have high demand.”
She warned that the patient should pay attention when purchasing from unemployed suppliers such as informal markets, unknown online stores or individuals sell through social media.
“Do not use the medicine until the authenticity is confirmed. Maintain the packaging and receipt as evidence and report the suspicious product to the pharmacist, doctor or SAHPRA.
If Makuro already takes medicine and thinks it’s not good, take medical treatment immediately.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi, officially called it the “world’s first” initiature to solve the dangerous deals of fake medicines by formally taking a nap at Kempton Park.
“South Africa is one of the first countries in the world and the first country to operate a comprehensive strategy for standard and counterfeit medical products,” he said.
This plan will see regulators’ strengthening market surveillance through random tests, inspections and strict implementation.
Dr. BOIHPRA CEO BOIHPRA CEO BOITUMELO SEMETE-MAKOKOTLELA has surged in recent years, and has already surged from 130 to more than 500 in 2021/22 this year.
Fake products seized by the executive agency include unlawful weight loss drugs, illegal sexual improved agents, skin bleached creams containing corticosteroids and protein fairy tale steroids.
Makuro stressed that the pharmacist is at the forefront of public protection.
“Our role is to consult with the patient about how to recognize suspicious medicines. It is to raise awareness in the community about the risk of supplying only from a regulator and purchasing in an informal market or online,” she said.
