The world is a dangerous place for the trusting and the innocent -- which is probably one of the reasons we have some of the laws we do to protect everyone. Still, even with laws in place, it seems we are not all that safe. Frankly, I am disturbed by what I learned that I did not know about prescription drugs being dispensed in this country and the estimated number of those prescriptions that are counterfeit drugs. Drugs of ineffective strength. Drugs made with unknown chemicals. Drugs switched with less expensive drugs meant for another medical condition. Basically -- the wrong drugs.
Until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, announced it was taking steps to strengthen existing protections against the growing problem of counterfeit drugs, I did not know there was a problem. I venture to guess most law-abiding citizens who go the pharmacy with a physician's prescription did not know they could be receiving the same kind of drugs bought illegally on the street. Tainted. Cut with unknown properties. Or a drug that is different than the drug you set out to purchase. With illegal drugs you know the chances you take when you deal with shady people. Who would expect going to the local pharmacy might be no different than visiting the dimly-lit alleyways of street drug deals.
Why is the FDA beefing up the protections already in place to ensure that the legal drugs dispensed at the pharmacy are safe from counterfeit drugs? According to Counterfeit Drug Task Force, "We must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure our nation's drug supply is protected against an increasingly sophisticated criminal element engaging in a dangerous type of commerce."
Means there is a problem. Legitimate prescription drugs are being diverted and replaced with counterfeit drugs of unknown quality and origin. Your pharmacist is receiving the counterfeit drugs instead of the drugs they believe they are getting shipped to them. You are taking the presciption home in a little bottle labeled with instructions on how often to take the drug. But you are not taking what your pharmacist and you think you are taking to treat your medical condition or illness. The FDA calls it a growing problem. I did not even know there was a problem. Did you?
