In the modern world, fraud involving medicines and dietary supplements (supplements) has become a real epidemic. Every year, more and more people become victims of scammers who take advantage of citizens' trust by offering them fake drugs and miracle pills that allegedly can solve all health problems.
Fraud with Supplements: What is it?
Dietary supplements (supplements) are products intended to be consumed to improve health. However, unlike medicines, they do not undergo strict safety and efficacy testing. This creates fertile ground for fraudsters who offer ineffective and even dangerous supplements under the guise of genuine medications.
Scammers often use various tricks to attract buyers' attention. These can include loud promotions, stories of miraculous healings, and ambiguous claims that the product is "registered" or "approved" by doctors. Often, such supplements are offered at deliberately low prices, creating the illusion of a bargain for consumers.
One of the most common methods is selling supplements through online stores. Scammers create fake websites where they present their "miracle products."
Fake Medicines Online
Buying medicines online is quite convenient, but it also comes with significant risks. Scammers take advantage of the popularity of online shopping to offer fake medicines that can be not only ineffective but also dangerous to health.
When you buy medicines online, especially from unfamiliar stores, you risk buying counterfeits. Such medications may contain ineffective or even harmful substances that not only fail to solve your health problems but may exacerbate them. Often, the substitution looks quite plausible — the packaging can be of high quality, even bearing the logos of major pharmaceutical companies.
The first thing to do before buying medicines online is to check the license and reputation of the online pharmacy. Official pharmacies must have licenses. Additionally, it's useful to read reviews from other buyers and check how long the store has been in the market.
Fraud in Pharmacies: Where to Seek Support
Unfortunately, fraud occurs not only on the internet but also in physical pharmacies. There can be cases where a pharmacy offers counterfeit drugs or supplements. Fraud can also involve price gouging on medicines or selling them without the necessary documentation.
Some pharmacies may purchase counterfeit medicines from dubious suppliers. Such medications can be legitimized through connections with certain doctors who issue recommendations for their use.
It's important to choose a pharmacy with a good reputation and check if it has a license. Pay attention to compliance with storage and sale standards for medications. Specialists should also be competent and able to answer your questions. If something seems suspicious, it's better to go to another pharmacy.
Scams with Medical Products
Scammers are capable of creating real distribution networks for counterfeit medicines and supplements. They deceive not only ordinary citizens but also pharmaceutical companies and even medical institutions.
Fraud with medical products can affect entire regions. In recent years, there have been many cases of counterfeit medical products infiltrating the pharmacy network. This can lead not only to financial losses but also to serious medical consequences for patients.
Scam with Miracle Pills
On the supplement market, "miracle pills" are particularly common, promising health improvements in a short time and with little effort.
The information about miracle pills is often veiled in "scientific" language but lacks any concrete data about clinical trials. If an advertisement claims that a product can cure certain diseases without additional efforts or lifestyle changes, this is usually a sign of fraud.
Scammers use manipulation techniques and create dependency on their products, promising results that cannot be achieved. People become victims of these schemes, losing not only money but also health.
Fake Certificates for Medicines
Insufficient regulation in the market for supplements and medications creates conditions for the emergence of fake certificates and licenses, which fraudsters use to lend legitimacy to their products.
Before purchasing, be sure to check the certificates of the product. Official organizations, such as Roszdravnadzor, publish lists of registered medicines and supplements. You can also refer to specialized resources to verify the mentioned certificates.
If a certificate raises doubts, it's better to refrain from purchasing. Pay attention to the packaging: counterfeits often lack necessary information about the manufacturer, expiration dates, and storage conditions. Additionally, if a medication is too cheap, it may be a sign that it is counterfeit.
How to Verify Medicine Authenticity
Verifying the authenticity of medicines is a crucial step to protect your health.
First, you can use special mobile applications designed to check medications. Enter the package serial number, and the app will inform you if the medication is in the list of registered products.
If you still have doubts about the quality of the purchased medication, consult a doctor or pharmacy. Additionally, doctors can help determine the efficacy of the medicine based on an analysis of your symptoms and medical history.
Scam in Medicine: How to Recognize
There are many different fraud schemes that can involve not only medicines but also telemedicine, online consultations, and other medical services.
If you are offered services that sound too good to be true, it's better to postpone the purchase decision. Low-quality services are often accompanied by aggressive marketing and pressure from "consultants" who insist on your immediate decision.
Remember that genuine medical services, as well as medicines and supplements, have clear indications and contraindications.
Fraud in the sale of medicines and supplements is a pressing issue affecting millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, each year new schemes and methods of deception become more sophisticated, and trusting citizens become victims of fraud. The harm caused can be both financial and health-related.
Be cautious before making purchases, especially online. Always verify the authenticity of medicines and seek help from specialists if in doubt.