Here Sharon Roberts explains how healthcare professionals can help prevent counterfeit prescription drugs from making it to the hands of patients.

1. K N O W Y O U R S O U R C E
K N O W Y O U R P R O D U C T
B Y: S H A R O N R O B E R T S , P H A R M A C I S T A N D AT T O R N E Y

2. In 2014 the FDA launched the“Know Your Source”
campaign. This Program encourages health care
professionals to ensure that they are purchasing
prescription drug products from properly licensed and
regulated distributors. Through this program, the FDA
has shared helpful tips on avoiding and recognizing
rogue wholesale drug distributors. Ultimately, initiatives
such as the "Know Your Source" program and the DSCSA
protect the health and safety of the patient, as well as
protect the liability of the professionals that unwittingly
associate with unlicensed distributors. The tips that follow
are to be used to identify unsafe, ineffective or
counterfeit drugs.

3. C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :
• The label is not in English

4. • The packaging is slightly different
from that of an FDA-approved drug
product
C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :
*photo credit to Wikimedia user Chaos

5. • The questionable product’s
name is different from the
FDA-approved drug
*photo credit to Amanda Mills/CDC
C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :

6. • The dosage form or
suggested dosing is
unfamiliar or
inconsistent
*photo credit to Amanda Mills/CDC
C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :

7. • There is an absence
of safety information
or warnings on the
packaging and
labels
C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :

8. • The way that the
questionable drug is
administered is different
from the FDA-approved
drug
*photo credit to Debora Cartagena/CDC
C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :

9. C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :
• Patients report suffering
from unexpected side
effects or that the drug is
ineffective

10. • Extreme marketing tactics like significant discounts
suggest that the drug products may have been obt
illegally, are unsafe or are unapproved
C O M M O N T R A I T S O F U N S A F E /
C O U N T E R F E I T D R U G S :

11. • As a healthcare professional, ensure
that your wholesale drug distributor
is currently licensed in your state
T I P S O N U N S A F E / C O U N T E R F E I T
D R U G S :

12. In order to reduce the chance of these
unsafe and unregulated drugs
reaching patients, healthcare
professionals are encouraged to fully
assess the validity of the credentials of
their suppliers.
*make sure to visit sharonrobertsconsulting.com