A new public awareness campaign has been officially launched to highlight the serious patient safety risks associated with counterfeit and illegally supplied medicines. The initiative strongly encourages people to access prescription medicines exclusively through legitimate and regulated channels. Counterfeit or fake medicines are defined as products that falsely represent their authenticity or origin. These dangerous items are commonly sold through unregulated websites, social media platforms, and various other illegal channels. Consumers purchasing these illicit products often have no reliable way of knowing what ingredients they actually contain, whether they were manufactured under safe conditions, or how they were transported and stored. Eli Lilly and Company is behind the launch of this important campaign. Supporting data released by the Health Products Regulatory Authority reveals that over five million dosage units of illegal and falsified medicines were successfully seized between 2021 and 2025 in Ireland, distributed across more than 39,000 separate consignments. Sarah Higgins, Medical Lead for Ireland at Eli Lilly and Company, emphasized that counterfeit medicines can look deceptively convincing, yet individuals have zero guarantees regarding their safety or contents. Legitimate prescription medicines undergo rigorous testing, strict manufacturing controls, and comprehensive regulatory oversight. The campaign aims to help the public understand these hidden risks, recognize warning signs, and learn practical steps to protect themselves and their families. Anyone who suspects they might have encountered a counterfeit or illegal medicine is advised to seek immediate guidance from a healthcare professional. Furthermore, citizens are encouraged to report any suspected products directly to the Health Products Regulatory Authority via email at [email protected] or by contacting their dedicated phone line. Protecting public health requires constant vigilance against unregulated medical products. Source: The Avondhu Newspaper #HealthSafety #CounterfeitMedicines #PublicAwareness #RegulatoryAuthority #PatientSafety
También lo cubren: The Avondhu Newspaper (Irlanda).
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