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| Published Wednesday, May 26, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Ministry of Health alerted on Tuesday about the detection of a fake version of the drug Voltaren, brand Novartis in injectable units of 75mg / 3mL.
According to the ministry, the fake product was detected after receiving a complaint about the sale of some units in a drugstore located in Coronado Canton, San José Province. When inspected by authorities, they found the fake treatment mentioned in the complaint plus other counterfeit drugs as well. Among counterfeit were Zaldiar in capsules, in damaged packaging and the expiration date erased. The sale of this fake drug was alerted in 2019.
The name of the pharmacy was not disclosed by the authorities.
According to the General Health Law, the import, manufacture, trade, distribution of damaged, adulterated or falsified medicines is prohibited. The people or companies that sell these products could be closed and the owners face criminal penalties.
The agents of the ministry continue with the investigations of the medicines found in that pharmacy.
The Novartis firm confirmed that the product found by the agents is counterfeit.
Among the main differences of the counterfeit product with the original are:
The package shows information about the Slovenian manufacturing company Lek Pharmaceuticals, but the data is shaded. The fake label does not contain information such as lot number or expiration date.
Counterfeit products do not have a security seal or original label. Fake containers tend to be easily detected because there are cuts and black lines on the edges.
The counterfeit drug was analyzed in the ministry's laboratories, where it was determined that it contained several ingredients where there is no certainty about the origin or the conditions of preparation, storage, transport and handling.
"A counterfeit drug can put people's lives at risk. Under no circumstances should people use the counterfeit product Voltaren," the ministry said in its statement.
The original product is sold in units of 75mg / 3mL with the registration Costa Rican code 4134-IE-1437. The manufacturing company is Lek Pharmaceuticals from Slovenia and the information can be easily read.
Voltaren is approved for the treatment of inflammation and rheumatism among other health problems. The drug requires a medical reference to be purchased in the country.
Authorities call on the public to report any suspicion of the sale of drugs or contraband products by emailing denuncias.drpis@misalud.go.cr
What have you heard about the sale of counterfeit products in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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