U.S. State Department Issues Warning About Counterfeit Medications

(MENAFN) The U.S. Department of State has issued a warning about counterfeit pharmaceuticals containing illicit drugs being sold in pharmacies in Mexico. The counterfeit medications were found to be tainted with substances including fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the department. The Drug Enforcement Administration has also reported counterfeit prescriptions being sold on both sides of the border, represented as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, and others. The details of the counterfeit pills were first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

The department has advised people to exercise caution when purchasing medicine, noting that pharmaceuticals, even those that might require a prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little regulation in Mexico. In addition to the risk of contamination, officials have said that counterfeit medication could prove to be ineffective or be the wrong strength.

The department has recommended that medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments, as counterfeit medications are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas. The warning comes after a report showed that counterfeit pharmaceuticals containing illicit drugs were being sold in pharmacies in Mexico.

The kidnapping of four Americans earlier this month in a Mexican border town has also put a spotlight on "medical tourism," or when people travel to another country to receive more affordable medical care or prescriptions. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not track crime related to medical tourism, they do deem the practice "risky." A 2015 study from the U.S. International Trade Commission found that about a million people from California traveled to Mexico to buy medicine at lower prices.

The state department's warning highlights the dangers of purchasing medication from unregulated establishments and the risk of contamination or receiving counterfeit medication. It also raises concerns about the practice of medical tourism and the need for caution when seeking medical care or prescriptions in other countries. People are advised to consult with medical professionals and purchase medication from reputable establishments to ensure their safety and well-being.

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