Counterfeit Medicines Q&A from Pfizer
This product information is intended only for residents of the United States.
- How do you know when you’ve purchased a counterfeit product?
- What are the dangers of taking counterfeit products?
- How can you avoid buying or receiving counterfeit products?
- How serious a problem is the counterfeiting of prescription medicines?
- What are the causes of counterfeiting?
- What are the consequences of counterfeiting?
- What is Pfizer doing to combat the counterfeiting problem?
- What can be done to improve the situation?
- What can you do to help?
How do you know when you’ve purchased a counterfeit product?
Consumers may not know that the medicines they’ve purchased are counterfeits. That’s why it’s important to purchase prescription products from a pharmacy and pharmacist with whom you’re familiar.
In some cases, patients have noticed a different taste, consistency, or appearance of products that are later identified as being counterfeit, or they may have a different reaction to the counterfeit drug.
If you suspect the Pfizer product you have pruchase may be counterfeit, contact us at 1-800-438-1985.
What are the dangers of taking counterfeit products?
One of the biggest concerns is that you may not be getting the therapeutic benefit you expect from the product. For example, a drug you count on to lower your cholesterol level—or to shrink a cancerous tumor—may not be providing any benefit at all because it’s counterfeit. Or the product may contain too much active ingredient, which also could be harmful. A fake drug also could interact with other medications you’re taking and create potential health issues.
Counterfeit products may be manufactured in substandard environments without appropriate controls that ensure their safety and efficacy and they could contain dangerous contaminants.
Given the present environment in which we live, there also is a concern that counterfeit drugs could be used as a tool by terrorists.
Finally, counterfeit products undermine the basic tenet of our health care system: to enable people to live healthier, happier lives.
Read the rest of these Q&A’s on counterfeit medicines.