The safety of your health is priceless, and in today’s market, the threat of counterfeit medicines is real. These products are not only ineffective but can be dangerous, containing harmful substances or incorrect ingredients.
Fortunately, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) provides us with clear tools to detect these counterfeits. Pay attention to the following key points and learn how to protect yourself and your family.
Carefully check the packaging.
Packaging is the first warning sign. An authentic medicine will always have packaging in perfect condition, with consistent colors and fonts. Be suspicious if you see damaged cardboard, faded colors, blurred print, spelling mistakes, or any signs of tampering, such as irregularly overlapping labels.
Compare the labeling information.n
All medications must display the lot number, expiration date, and health registration. Make sure this information is clear, printed directly on the package (not on glued-on labels), and, very importantly, that it matches both the primary packaging (blister, bottle) and the secondary packaging (the box). Any discrepancy is a red flag.
Observe the appearance of the product.
If you’re already familiar with the medication, pay attention to its physical characteristics. Look at the color, size, shape, smell, and even taste (if applicable) of the pills, capsules, or liquids. A counterfeit product may have subtle or obvious differences, such as crumbled tablets, cloudy liquids, or a general appearance that doesn’t match the original.
Be careful with the price and place of purchase.
Prices that seem “too good to be true” are often a scam. Counterfeit medicines are often sold at prices considerably lower than market prices. Additionally, avoid purchasing medicines from unauthorized sources, such as flea markets, informal markets, social media, or dubious websites. Always purchase your medications from established, licensed pharmacies.
Look for security seals and holograms.
Many legitimate medications include safety seals, holograms, or tamper-evident seals to ensure the product has not been opened or tampered with. If a medication that should have these features lacks them, or if the seals appear broken or counterfeit, it is a clear red flag that you should not ignore.