Don't be fooled by fakes

The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) and the European Medicines Agency warn about the danger of buying counterfeit drugs through illegal online pharmacies, which are taking advantage of the current situation to offer false treatments against COVID-19.

These products can be offered for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 or as an easy way to access authorized (original) medications, which would otherwise require a prescription, these products likely being counterfeit medications.

Counterfeit drugs are those that are offered under the guise of original or authorized. These medicines may contain active ingredients other than those declared, contain no active ingredient, or contain it, but at different doses than those authorized. Counterfeit medicines can also contain very harmful substances that can cause health damage or worsen disease.

The authorization of the online sale of medicines was approved in the European Union, but only for drugs that do not require a prescription and only through the pharmacies authorized to do so in each country. In Spain they are collected at Distafarma:

pharmacies authorized in DISTAFARMA

All online pharmacies registered for distance sale of non-prescription drugs use the common logo through which their legality can be verified. The common logo consists of a rectangle with horizontal stripes and a white cross located on the left half at the height of the central strip. At the bottom is the flag of the country where the online pharmacy is registered.

Furthermore, the health authorities recall that there is currently no specific authorized treatment for COVID-19. Medications for the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, are available and should be consulted with a doctor or pharmacist.

PATIENT INFORMATION:

• Counterfeit drugs pose a serious health risk.
• When buying medications on the internet, do so only through the websites of authorized and registered pharmacies.
• Verify that the medicine sales website where you are buying has the common logo.
• Click on the common logo to confirm that the pharmacy is included in the list of pharmacies authorized by health authorities to carry out online sales.
• Do not buy drugs that are advertised for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. For the treatment of symptoms related to COVID-19, such as fever, consult your doctor or pharmacist, or follow the instructions recommended by the health authorities.

From the OEPM we insist on the need not to buy medicines online on unauthorized websites: with counterfeits we lose all and also you put your health at risk.