What you need to know about counterfeit medicines

The U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain is one of the safest in the world. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t vulnerable. We all have a responsibility to make sure that fake medicines don’t make it into our local communities.

To do our part as a pharmaceutical company, we have a team dedicated to ensuring that patients and their care partners know what to look for when they buy medication and what resources to use to verify their pharmacies. We work closely with law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations (like the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) to minimize the impact of counterfeit medication, especially as 95 percent of online pharmacies are operating illegally.

“If you have doubts or questions about your medication, please reach out to your doctor, pharmacy, or pharmaceutical manufacturer,” shared Aaron Graham, executive director for human pharma brand safety and security at Boehringer Ingelheim. “Asking the right questions and knowing what to look for can save your life and give you peace of mind when taking your medication.”

Understand the risk

Counterfeit medication is any prescription medicine that wasn’t developed by a pharmaceutical manufacturer, like Boehringer. Fake medications typically:  

• Have the wrong ingredients, like too little or too much of active ingredients and/or a lower dose of what people need
• Can contain dangerous products that can lead to overdose or death
• Differ in size, shape, or color than your typical medication
• Are sold in poor-quality packaging

Please take the necessary steps to be informed and to buy your medication with confidence.