TYPES OF COUNTERFEIT MEDICINE KEEPS INCREASING

Trading of counterfeit and illegal medicine is rampant in Indonesia. Those counterfeit medicines are not only vitality supplement but also medicine for malaria, diabetes, and antibiotics.

“Regional data shows painkillers, antibiotics, and medicine for malaria and diabetes are the most commonly forged medicines,” said the Ambassador of United States for Indonesia, Robert Blake, in his opening speech during Edukasi Bahaya Obat Palsu dan Kosmetik Palsu Melalui Iklan Layanan Masyarakat (Education of the Danger of Counterfeit Drugs and Medicine by Public Service Advertisement) in Jakarta, Rabu (26/2/2014). This event involved National Food and Drugs Control Agency (BPOM) and Masyarakat Indonesia Anti Pemalsuan (Indonesia Citizen Anti-Counterfeiting)

The chief of BPOM, Roy Sparringa said that medicines often forged in Indonesia are erectile dysfunction drugs, body slimmer, cholesterol lowering medicine, and skin whitening products. Besides, medicine which needs doctor prescription is also sold for free in stalls.

It is proven in the Storm Operation done by Task Force on Eradication of Illegal Drugs and Foods from BPOM in Jayapura, Kupang, Ambon, and Jakarta. From those malaria endemic areas, the task force seized counterfeit and illegal malaria medicines that is worth for Rp. 5.7 billion from retailer stalls. In 2013, BPOM had been demolished 19.041 types of counterfeit and illegal medicine.

Below Standard

Counterfeit medicine that imitates medicine from official manufacturers usually do not contain active substance contained in original medicine and made of below standard ingredients. Illegal drugs are the type of drugs which are not listed in the Ministry of Health and BPOM. Either counterfeit or illegal drugs are dangerous to health because it cannot heal disease and it can even cause death.

Counterfeit medicine has many customers because it is cheap. Counterfeit medicine is produced locally and abroad. The counterfeit medicine entered Indonesia via border area, illegal port, or deposited by family who flee abroad.

Citizen can ensure the originality of the medicine by buying it from official stores, such as pharmacy or hospital. Besides, consumers have to check the expiry dates, license number from BPOM, and the address of producers. In order to check the originality of license number, you can access www.pom.go.id

source: health.kompas.com