What are Counterfeit Medications?
Counterfeit medications could be expired, repackaged, contaminated, have slight variations, different ingredients, or it could not be a medication at all.
Where Can Counterfeit Medications be Found?
Counterfeit medications are typically sold by online, non-licensed pharmacies and do not require a prescription.
Frequently Counterfeit Medications
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. carprofen, meloxicam)
- Flea and Tick preventatives
- Heartworm preventatives
BE A.W.A.R.E
Ask your veterinarian about the site you plan to use.
Watch for red flags such as not requiring a prescription, not listing an address or phone number.
Always check for site accreditation.
Report problems and suspicious online pharmacies.
Educate yourself about online pharmacies.
Common Signs of Counterfeit Medications
- Differences in weight between the outer package and the product inside
- Lack of directions in English
- Products not packaged in child-resistant packaging
- Missing directions for use
- Stickers on the box to hide the foreign labeling
- P.A. registration number is missing
- Foreign labeled product with stickers containing some U.S information
