Fake medicines putting lives at risk, warns patients' group

Counterfeit medicines are putting the public’s lives at risk, experts warned today.

Rogue drugs for treating epilepsy and even toothpaste contaminated by toxins have all been detected, according to a new report.

And the rising online availability of dangerous products which form part of a €35bn global industry has compounded the threat.

The Irish Patients’ Association outlined its fears after publishing a European-wide study.

The report, ’What should be done about counterfeit medicines’, analysed advocacy groups representing 300,000 patients with conditions including diabetes, heart and Alzheimer’s diseases.

One in five (20%) of the 236 groups surveyed confirmed they had received reports of unauthorised medicines from their members.

Stephen McMahon, IPA Chairman, said: “The problem of fake medicines is not going away. It is only getting worse and it poses a genuine danger to Ireland.

“Worryingly this report includes an Irish respondent, a 50-year-old man, who had purchased his epilepsy medication from an Irish pharmacy which his doctor then deemed to be an inferior medication after he had his first epileptic fit in eight years and his levels were found to be below the preferred therapeutic level.

“He changed his medication and his blood levels returned to normal levels.

“And during the summer we heard of the withdrawal of fake toothpaste due to a toxic active ingredient.

“We do not want to hear these kinds of stories happening and need to work towards ensuring unsuspecting patients do not suffer unnecessarily.”

Mr McMahon urged the Government to take action, with a task force set up to fight the threat.

His warning was based on the findings of a study carried out by Together4Health and supported by Pfizer Healthcare Ireland.

It also showed 80% of those surveyed believe pharmacists should not be allowed to buy wholesale medicines from any source they choose. Well over half (60%) felt chemists should only deal with accredited suppliers.

Mr McMahon added: “In Ireland over the past three years the Garda have been involved in a number of cases concerning counterfeit pharmaceuticals.

“The increase in people purchasing products over the Internet has opened up another channel through which fake medicines can reach unknowing people and people need to be aware of the dangers of purchasing medicines via the Internet.

“We cannot warn people enough about the possible dangers of buying medications online.

“As well as the dangers of self-medicating, some websites sell medicines that may not be safe to use and could put your health at risk.”