One of the biggest concerns about purchasing international drugs is that the drugs are not of the same quality as those subjected to the rigorous tests and procedures required by the Food and Drug Administration. Of even more concern, though, is how to tell whether or not you have been sold a counterfeit drug. At best these drugs may have very little to no medicinal benefits. At worst, their ingredients can cause severe side effects or other drug interactions.

Counterfeit Scams

Occasionally, prescription drug vendors who are selling the drugs as a scam will provide some very small hint of evidence that the drug is not the real thing. This is somewhat similar to the idea of a street vendor selling knock-offs of expensive Prada bags labeled Pradai, or another inconspicuous change with the same style. These counterfeit drug sellers may sometimes change one very tiny detail about the prescription, while consumers still believe they are purchasing the real thing. For example, sometimes the only way to tell a drug is counterfeit is to check the lot number from which it was produced. Other times there will be a small hint in the bottle. The counterfeit drug’s bottle may be approximately one millimeter taller than the brand-name’s bottle. Other times, the medication may have a flat versus a raised stopper, or an indented bottle -the list goes on. Sometimes, though, consumers would never know the product was fake until it has been tested.

There are a few ways consumers can rest assured when ordering drugs. The FDA recommends consumers order only from United States pharmacies online, and that they check to make sure the site is verified. Be wary of site claims and if you are ordering internationally, for example, make sure the pharmacy selling the medications has an actual physical address. The site should not sell the medications without a prescription from your doctor, a written medical evaluation, or medical history.

Also when ordering internationally, check to get the pharmacist’s number, so you can call and speak to the person filling your prescription. Check to make sure the products are shipped professionally and be wary of generics. For instance, if your pills arrive lose -i.e. not in a blister pack or bottle-you may want to reconsider your purchase. You can never be sure of what the drugs are comprised of or what they picked up along the way during shipment.

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