How to choose medications: check the composition, manufacturer and the authenticity of the drug

The more dangerous substandard medicines?

Substandard and counterfeit drugs can causeSubstandard and falsified medical products harm to patients and does not treat the disease for which they were intended. For example, due to counterfeit antimalarial drugs occursThe counterfeit anti-malarial is a crime against humanity: a systematic review of the scientific evidence almost 450 000 deaths every year.

According to WHO's overall share of substandard and counterfeit medical products in the middle- and low-income countries isThe study of health and economic damage of substandard and counterfeit medical products about 10.5%.

In Russia seized for 2018Information on the results of state control (supervision) in the field
the drug market for 2018 752 series of treatment drugs, the properties of which do not conform to the specified requirements.

Quality drugs - this is what?

Quality medicines defines FZ-61 "On Circulation of Medicines"And guideline ICH Q9« Risk management for quality. "

Here are the criteria to be met by the drug:

• Compliance with the requirements of pharmacopeia article - a document that outlines quality standards.
• Security - the medication should not cause harm.
• Efficiency - positive influence on the course of disease.
• The purity of the drug - the absence of extraneous contamination.
• Identification - fitness for purpose, the presence of batch number, expiry date neistokshy.

Quality drugs produced with a focus on standard GMP (good manufacturing practice - Good Manufacturing Practice) and the requirements of the registration dossier.

What may be obvious signs of forgery?

Sometimes a fake very well mask and tell them a bit hard on quality products. But in some respects it is still possible5 Tips on How to Identify Fake Drugs do.

This is what should alert you:

• An unusual font that catches your eye, spelling errors.
• Batch number, expiry date and address of the manufacturer on the primary and secondary packaging does not match.
• manufacturer's address is not listed - only the country and the city.
• Package poor quality - there is damage, tears, chips, poorly printed text.
• Tablets damaged - crumble, they are visible cracks or blemishes.
• At the bottom of the box or container has a powder or pieces of tablets.
• Patterns on different tablets or look sloppy. For example, on the same line can be seen well on the other - bad.

If you suspect that the drug is a fake call in a pharmaceutical company, the phone is specified in the instructions or on the packaging. Conscientious manufacturers are always ready to confirm the authenticity of medicines by number series.

List retirement medicines you can see on the website Roszdravnadzor.

Do I need to look at the composition?

Yes, if you want to make sure that the drug is safe.

See the composition of the need for three reasons:

1. To ensure that there is no substance to which you are allergic.
2. Not to buy drugs with the same active ingredients. Admission several drugs that have the same active ingredient in the composition, will lead to the fact that the body will be too much of this substance. This is badMedicines: Common Questions Answered It impacts on health.
3. To know what you will be treated. For unfamiliar ingredients should be treated with care. Before taking any medications recommended to consult a doctor.

How to check the reliability of the manufacturer?

Check how drugmakers legal activity, please visit Industry and Trade - there is a register of licenses for the production of medicines.

Open the "Activities" tab and then "Public services". Among the list of services to locate the "Licensing of medicines production," the right information window appears, go to the tab "Register". Next you will see a link to "register of licenses for the production of medicines." By clicking on it, you can upload a spreadsheet with the names of all licensees, in which you can find you're interested in a pharmaceutical company.

As manufacturers control the quality?

Quality control takes place in several stages. Consider the example of their production sites, "Hemofarm" and "Nizhpharm" company STADA, Which was the first in Russia to introduce them to the international GMP standards.

The company STADA checks the drugs throughout the entire production cycle.

1. Check raw materials

All the active ingredients, excipients and used packaging materials are tested before they are out doing drugs.

The raw material is checked by three parameters:

• Authenticity - to confirm that it is actually used in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Content - to calculate the initial sample weight.
• Purity - to ensure that the product does not contain harmful impurities.

2. internal production control

The process of drug development is continuously monitored to ensure compliance with all important production parameters. In particular, for testing for residual moisture in the granulate, tablet weight and physical properties of the dosage form.

3. The final quality check

Each batch is held the final test in the laboratory before appearing on the shelves of pharmacies. If at this stage, it was found that product quality does not meet the standards, it is not permitted to use and implement.

4. Verification of physical parameters

Tablets and capsules are checked for appearance, uniformity, hardness, rate of dissolution and release of the active substance. Ointments and gels - on the viscosity, pH, the homogeneity of the active substance and appearance. Mortar - transparency and color, pH, concentration.

But the price of quality depend on?

No direct relationship. However, if the product price is several times lower than peers, it is worth considering whether the manufacturer has not spared on the quality of raw materials.

But there is another reason for the low prices. When a company launches a new original drug, it is usually expensive. Then the term of patent protection expires, other manufacturers are beginning to create analogues of the drug with the same medicinal properties - generics. They are usually cheaper, and the quality depends on the integrity of the issuing company.

How to choose a medicine among peers?

First, ask your doctor what drugs are effective and better you will do.

Secondly, there are some nuances with which you will be able to understand themselves.

1. In different pharmacies on the same medication prices may vary. To select the most suitable option - go to the nearest pharmacy sites, find the means to search through the catalog and compare, where the cost is less.
2. On Web sites, some manufacturers can seek medication in partner pharmacies and choose the best option for themselves for the price. For example, Search Catalog We have companies STADA.
3. Some drugs differ in price just because the package contains more pills. Do not forget to clarify this point, the pharmacist.
4. Drugs with various international non-proprietary name (unique name of the active drug substance) can vary in price. Which option will suit you best, ask your doctor.

What if you do not know what medicine you need?

Go to the doctor. If you have something hurts and you can not imagine what it is to treat, do not attempt to pick up a medicine. And that's why:

• You do not know the exact cause of the pain. Let's say you're concerned about your right side. It's clear. But what exactly is there pain? Liver, gall bladder, appendicitis?
• You do not know what active ingredients the most safe and effective when your illness.
• The wrong treatment can harm you.

Do not use unfamiliar drugs without a prescription.

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