When you think of counterfeiting, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is money. But did you know that prescription drugs can be counterfeited? While counterfeit drugs are not as common in the United States as they are in other countries, occurrences are on the rise. Counterfeit drugs either lack an active ingredient or are stronger or weaker in strength. While they are not a cause to panic, there is cause to be concerned, especially if you are taking a high-priced drug or some of the best-selling drugs on the market. Here is an overview of counterfeit prescription drugs and some suggestions on how not to become a victim of them.

Why the sudden increase in counterfeit prescription drugs? Experts point to an increasing global market, the way drugs are distributed and a large profit potential. While other countries lack strict regulations, the United States is supposed to have one of the most secure drug industries. Still counterfeiting can occur, especially in the distribution of drugs. Drug distribution works like this. Drugs go from the manufacturers to authorized wholesalers who distribute the drugs to pharmacies and hospitals. From there, they go to consumers. The 1988 Prescription Drug Marketing Act requires states to license wholesalers and prohibits hospitals or pharmacies from reselling the drugs to anyone other than patients. The problem comes in the form of some 8,000 gray market wholesalers. This $140 billion-dollar-a-year industry is comprised of both legitimate and not-so-legitimate wholesalers. These wholesalers drastically discount drugs to sell to doctors, hospitals and clinics. The reduced drugs are then sold to other wholesalers at an extremely low price. Before finally reaching a pharmacy or hospital, the drugs probably have been sold and resold a number of times. In order to make more money, real drugs are mixed in with the fakes. All these re-sale transactions make regulation and tracking down counterfeit drugs almost impossible.

Prime targets for counterfeiters are expensive drugs like Serostim, which treats AIDS wasting and can sell for more than $200 a vial; cancer drugs; drugs that have no generic equivalent; and drugs that are commonly used, excluding common antibiotics. Drug manufacturers are not required by law to report counterfeit drugs to the FDA, police, hospitals or pharmacies. Word has it, however, that the FDA has created a task force to find ways to combat counterfeit drugs.

What can you do to avoid counterfeit drugs? Follow these tips:

• Always buy from a reputable source.
• Be aware of the appearance of the drug and its packaging. Are the bottles the same size? What does the type on the label look like? Ask for the product in the original packaging. Pay attention to changes in the lot number from one prescription to the next. If the drug is significantly lower in price, chances are it’s too good to be true.
• Avoid buying from online pharmacies not licensed in the United States or ones that offer to write prescriptions or sell drugs without a prescription. Reputable online pharmacies will have a Square Trade seal or a seal from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy called VIPPS (Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site).
• Contact your pharmacist if the drug has different side effects or tastes different.
• Contact your local pharmacist, the FDA and the manufacturer if you suspect counterfeiting,

While there is an increase in counterfeit drugs and it’s always better to be safe than sorry, only a small amount of prescription drugs moves through the secondary market and only a small percentage of them turns out to be fake. Be cautious but not overly so.