The Cuban Agency for the Control of Medicines and Medical Products (CECMED) issued a warning about the detection of counterfeit medicines in the informal market.
That state body received two notifications in June in the Drug Information Service related to ketotifen, attributed to the manufacturer Stada, according to a announcement published on its website.
The suspected medicine was originally acquired in Haiti, and after an exhaustive analysis with photographic evidence and the collaboration of the World Health Organization, its counterfeiting was confirmed, which implies that its quality, safety and efficacy cannot be guaranteed.
CECMED warned that its use represents a risk to the health of the population and its use is not recommended under any circumstances.
Ketotifen is a drug indicated for the treatment of respiratory conditions such as bronchial asthma, allergic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis and allergic skin reactions. Among the criteria used to demonstrate the falsity of the medicine, it was found that ketotifen Stada 1 mg is presented in hard capsules and not in tablets, as was detected in the counterfeit versions.
In addition to ketotifen, CECMED also alerted about other counterfeit drugs during June, including clonazepam and neurobion.
Clonazepam, a benzodiazepine used in the treatment of certain forms of epilepsy, has been the subject of 18.5% of the queries received at the Drug Information Service of the Surveillance Section of CECMED during the period January-May 2023. Of the total, 80% of the medicines analyzed turned out to be counterfeit.
In the case of neurobionan association of water-soluble B-complex vitamins, it was detected that the labels indicated its use to strengthen bones and improve calcium absorption, which does not correspond to its true composition or indication.
Cuban medical authorities warned about the risks associated with the consumption of counterfeit medicines, which can be ineffective and cause adverse reactions, endangering people’s health.
It also highlights that purchasing medicines through unregulated websites, social media or smartphone apps can be dangerous and promotes antimicrobial resistance.
To identify counterfeit medicines, it is suggested to examine the condition of the packaging in search of grammatical or spelling errors, check the manufacturing and expiration dates, verify the appearance of the medicine and consult a health professional in case of suspicion. Likewise, it is recommended to report suspected drugs to the drug regulatory authority.
In the middle of the drug crisis in Cuba and the inability of the authorities to solve it, Cubans must go to the informal market to stock up on what they need.
A few days ago it went viral the way medicines were sold in the Cuevita, Havana, without the need for medical prescriptions and at prices that are unaffordable for many; even so, some expressed a positive opinion in their favor, because it is the only way to acquire them.
