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Counterfeit Drugs Pose Serious Drug Danger
Nov. 5, 2003 - With more Americans
relying on prescription medicine to treat life-threatening conditions
like heart disease and high-cholesterol, they're taking active
measures to protect their health. But a new threat is preventing some
patients from getting the medication they need: counterfeit
pharmaceuticals.
Most of the time, medicines are sold
directly to an authorized wholesaler who distributes them to your
local pharmacy, doctor or hospital. In some cases, however, they can
also move between middlemen or secondary wholesalers, opening holes in
the U.S. "safety net" where drugs from other countries like Mexico,
China and India can enter without oversight.
A recent FDA/U.S. Customs investigation
revealed that 88 percent of the imported pharmaceuticals examined
contain unapproved drugs, many of which could be harmful. Experts
offer the following tips to keep you and your family safe from
counterfeit medicine:
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Make
sure medication comes from a licensed U.S. pharmacy
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Examine packaging, labeling and product seals closely
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If
medicine looks or tastes different, seems less effective or causes
unusual side effects, contact your local doctor or pharmacist
To
learn more about protecting yourself from counterfeit pharmaceuticals,
go to
http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/
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