[india-drug] Re: Counterfeit pharmaceuticals(6)

["dicmspc" <dicmspc@hathway.com>]

Dear India-Drug Members,

With reference to Dr.Usha Gupta's advice on trying to to identify the extent
of counterfeit drugs available in the market and weed out this problem, I
feel community pharmacists are a very vital link which can be motivated and
tapped for this noble work. They directly receive and handle formulations
before it reaches the patient. It will require positive approach and
community pharmacists having strong associations all over India and if the
heads of all these state level Chemists and Druggists Associations are
positively incorporated in this venture, lot of data can emerge out and
counterfeit if any can be detected.

Maybe community pharmacists can undergo training cum lectures to know
intensity of harm that counterfeit can cause.

It is suggested by some of the drug regulatory authorities from our state
that following cautions should be observed by pharmacists to detect
counterfeit medicines:

1.Sale & Purchase by proper invoices, bills.
2.Payments by cheque only.
3.Proper verifications of B. No., Lic. No., etc.
4.Keep liaison with your dealers.
5.Changes in packing labels / hologram.
6.Unusual drop in sales in particular area or of a particular brand.
7.Be alert if offered with very cheap or discounted price.

Also be alerted if you detect at drug store if anyone offers:
-Sale without bills.
-Sale without licence.
-Sale with fake bills but payments by cash.

Dr. (Mrs.) Sampada Patvardhan (Ph.D.Tech. Pharmacology)
In-Charge, Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council's Drug Information Centre
E.S.I.S. Hospital Compound, L.B.S. Marg, Mulund (W), Mumbai-400 080
Tel:25930607Telefax: 25684291
email: dicmspc@yahoo.co.in  or dicmspc@hathway.com   website:
www.mspcindia.org/dic