Police Crackdown On Illegal Medicine

[george]

Police Crackdown on Illegal Medicine

UPDATE : 14 January 2011

BANGKOK: -- Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit and consumer protection police officers have cracked down on an unauthorized drug store in the Phatphong area in Bangkok.

In the bust, authorities confiscated a variety of counterfeit drugs including erectile dysfunction pills, muscle strengthening drugs, male hormone medicine, weight loss pills, and whitening drugs among many others.

None of the drugs were registered and the total value is more than 3 million baht.

The store owner has been charged with selling unregistered drugs, and may be jailed up to three years in prison and/or be fined up to 5,000 baht.

In a separate case, police said they arrested an abortion drug seller at a department store in Nonthaburi province and seized six pills.

The suspected dealer said the drugs were sold online and were distributed from Chiang Mai province.

-- TNA 2011-01-14

[asiawatcher]

Strange that a Patpong druggist sells illegal drugs nest ce pas? Maybe he should move to the 'burbs'.

[thailandbluegrass]

The drugs are worth over 3 million baht yet they could face 3 years in jail and/or a 5000 baht fine..............helloooooo........Yes your honour I'll take the 5000 baht fine please? But can I have that reduced to 1000 baht because I am pleading guilty?

Edited January 14, 2011 by thailandbluegrass

[craigt3365]

There was an article in Wednesday's Post talking about the increase of drugs coming from India and China. And how they are not checking the quality of these drugs at all. After all the food scares from China, I will from now on ask where the drugs are coming from. I think they said something like 20% of all drugs here are now coming from China or India.

[Jingthing]

I am confused by these stories. When they say counterfeit, are they also including legitimate "copy" meds like Indian Kamagra, which is a perfectly good drug if it is authentic.

[billybobbkk]

I find it hilarious that the word "crackdown" is used as walking into 1 store is hardly a crackdown of any kind.

[slapout]

I find it hilarious that the word "crackdown" is used as walking into 1 store is hardly a crackdown of any kind.

"Crackdown" seems to the flavor of the past few months for the journalists, police, etc. Maybe they could be convinced to go to the term "we will swoop down" when referring to future actions.

[craigt3365]

I am confused by these stories. When they say counterfeit, are they also including legitimate "copy" meds like Indian Kamagra, which is a perfectly good drug if it is authentic.

Sorry, but the words "copy" and "Indian" set off huge warning signs for me...IMHO, not worth the risk.

[Jingthing]

I am confused by these stories. When they say counterfeit, are they also including legitimate "copy" meds like Indian Kamagra, which is a perfectly good drug if it is authentic.

Sorry, but the words "copy" and "Indian" set off huge warning signs for me...IMHO, not worth the risk.

I didn't mean copy really. I meant generic. Kamagra is a legitimate medication, a generic of Viagra. That is most certainly not the same thing as a fake med branded Kamagra. My understanding is that both real Kamagra and fake Kamagra are both illegal in Thailand, so that's the root of my confusion.

[salty]

I would imagine there are thousands of people taking smelling salts to revive them from the shock of hearing this news.

[jayjay0]

I find it hilarious that the word "crackdown" is used as walking into 1 store is hardly a crackdown of any kind.

You beat me to it. If Thai Visa hadn't dressed up the title I would not have bothered to open it.

Sure they hurting for viewers that bad. What a Joke. And not a good one.

Edited January 14, 2011 by jayjay0

[bangon04]

I am confused by these stories. When they say counterfeit, are they also including legitimate "copy" meds like Indian Kamagra, which is a perfectly good drug if it is authentic.

Sorry, but the words "copy" and "Indian" set off huge warning signs for me...IMHO, not worth the risk.

I didn't mean copy really. I meant generic. Kamagra is a legitimate medication, a generic of Viagra. That is most certainly not the same thing as a fake med branded Kamagra. My understanding is that both real Kamagra and fake Kamagra are both illegal in Thailand, so that's the root of my confusion.

Surely there's not enough money in faking Kamagra - if you are going to such trouble while not just call it Viagra - the mark-up is bigger.

Most pharmacies sell generic versions of "popular" medicines - no need to pay more buying fakes on the street.

[Lifer]

The Indian pharmaceutical companies are known for producing some top quality generic medicines.The ones you better worry about are the ones peddled in Mae Sai, which are usually fake mixtures from China.

[Jingthing]

The Indian pharmaceutical companies are known for producing some top quality generic medicines.The ones you better worry about are the ones peddled in Mae Sai, which are usually fake mixtures from China.

So you are saying there are widespread fake copies of legitimate generics? BTW, I don't really understand why legitimate Kamagra and other legitimate generics are illegal in Thailand in the first place. Did Pfizer pay for that law?

Edited January 14, 2011 by Jingthing

[AZBill]

Well if you want to kill tourism just start cracking down on the availability of Cialis and Viagra! Mai di ma di

[fstarbkk]

I find it hilarious that the word "crackdown" is used as walking into 1 store is hardly a crackdown of any kind.

"Crackdown" seems to the flavor of the past few months for the journalists, police, etc. Maybe they could be convinced to go to the term "we will swoop down" when referring to future actions.

We haven't had Thailand proclaimed the hub of anything all week. So, let's call Thailand the Crackdown Hub of Asia!

[Bagwan]

What I found so hilarious in the report is the pretence that there is such a thing as consumer protection police. If there is such a body I assume that they form part of the inactive posts department.

[ukrules]

I think there is some kind of general tightening of the rules going on at the moment according to the pharmacist who I use.

Apparently the government are trying to stop Xanax being sold in pharmacies without a prescription and the changes are happening now. In future I will need to order it one day in advance due to this new rule.

[Soutpeel]

What I found so hilarious in the report is the pretence that there is such a thing as consumer protection police. If there is such a body I assume that they form part of the inactive posts department.

Their office is right next door to the ministery of sillys walks...

[IrishMick]

Kamagra is not legal anywhere apart from India where there are few if any patent laws. But this will change in the not to distant future. America is putting big pressure on India to start enforcing pharmaceutical patents.

But I also agree that these illegal copies produced in India are just as good as the branded products.

[craigt3365]

Kamagra is not legal anywhere apart from India where there are few if any patent laws. But this will change in the not to distant future. America is putting big pressure on India to start enforcing pharmaceutical patents.

But I also agree that these illegal copies produced in India are just as good as the branded products.

Read these articles:

http://www.aei.org/paper/100082

http://www.allcountries.org/health/counterfeit_medicines.html

http://www.notofakes.com/Resources/TravelAdvisory/AsiaAsiaPacific/India/tabid/393/Default.aspx

Products to look out for

Pharmaceuticals

In May 2008 the Times of India published an article claiming that India, a “rising star in the pharma firmament”, may be awash with counterfeit drugs. Counterfeit versions of an array of modern drugs in areas like cancer, erectile dysfunction, cardiology, cholesterol lowering, hypertension and genitourinary infections have all been found. These counterfeit drugs are making their way across the pharmacy counter and into consumers, so remember to be extra vigilant when purchasing both prescription and non-prescription products when travelling in India. If you have a particular condition that requires you to take regular medication, read up beforehand to find out whether your drug has been counterfeited and what you should look out for. Retain the packaging from medication that you have brought with you so that you have something to compare it with.

I think I will stay with the "real" thing...

P.S. my brother is a pharmacist working at a major hospital in the US. He constantly warns me about this as he knows I travel all over the world...and usually to developing countries.

[jsflynn603]

There was an article in Wednesday's Post talking about the increase of drugs coming from India and China. And how they are not checking the quality of these drugs at all. After all the food scares from China, I will from now on ask where the drugs are coming from. I think they said something like 20% of all drugs here are now coming from China or India.

Just an FYI: about 80% of the world's brand name quality medications are produced in India. Their pharmacological industry from manufacturing to the local pharmacy is top notch, and no, I am not of Indian origin.

The funniest part is that at least in America a person can buy the most often "counterfeited" medication (be it Viagra, Cialis, or Levitra) for less than these stores sell the fake versions.

In America one tablet of any of the ED drugs mentioned above run about $10@tablet.

I often mention to clients that I see (I'm an RN) in America who have no insurance that they can buy both the actual brand name med (sometimes), or often quality generics at astounding differences in price and I tell them about a place called pharmacy checker who I believe to be a quality act. (I add appropriate caveats such as "see your medical practitioner first, etc.) This site simply charges pharmacies to list there--no commission is received. But to list the pharmacy must meet pharmacychecker's standards which includes proof of an accepted pharmicist license and the contact info for the responsible person.

Let's take Cialis at the normal average of $10@ tablet if one buys the brand name med. Cialis is the brand name for Tadalafil. Many of the sites listed sell the same medication for about $2@tablet, a savings of about 80%. The medication most likely will "Tadacip" and will be made by Cipla in India.

Cipla is no small operator. It is the word's leading HIV medication manufacturer, has over 7,000 employees and it's products are approved by regulatory bodies such as:

• World Health Organization
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
• Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
• Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention (PIC), Germany
• National Institute of Pharmacy (NIP), Hungary
• The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the UK government agency

But if you think that an 80% savings is good, there is more. A wise medical practitioner knows that often a 20 milligram dose tablet is priced the same as a 5 milligram tablet. (Actually all of the ED meds cost more in the smaller doses) If said practitioner believes the client is capable of (and if the med is appropriate (as some med cannot be cut/broken) she can suggest a script for 20 milligram tablets, with instructions to start with 5 milligrams (which often works for many in the case of ED meds). Thus the client's $2/tablet becomes $0.50 for the quarter of a tablet.

It used to be "quasi-illegal" for a MD to suggest cutting pills in half/quarters, etc., but lately some insurance companies have wised up and are now urging the practice.

Many clients in America simply cannot afford the $10 for a 5mg tablet of Viagra or Cialis (or Crestor, an anti-lipid med, or....ect.) but can afford to pay 95% less!

Now just think about this and the ethics. And think about America's system where so many are "on the dole" (welfare, Medicaid, Medicare) and payments to the Pharma industry is being made closer to the $10/pill (let's say the government pays a 50% reduction, and so $5/pill) yet the same exact substance can be had for much, much less. If this system is not screwy I don't know what is.

Note: While technically it is illegal to import medications into the US, US Customs is under mandate to allow importation of meds to an individual if it is 90 days supply or less and if a copy of the prescription by a doctor is included.

Edited January 15, 2011 by jsflynn603

[jimbeam1]

Today's news from the Thai Ministry of crackdowns is!------- :jap:

jb1

[ukrules]

Kamagra is not legal anywhere apart from India where there are few if any patent laws. But this will change in the not to distant future. America is putting big pressure on India to start enforcing pharmaceutical patents.

But I also agree that these illegal copies produced in India are just as good as the branded products.

You're right - things will change in a big way for Viagra very soon but it has nothing to do with US pressure as the remaining patents expire next year and cheap generics will be available throughout the world. It was first patented back in the mid 90's.

India has a massive legitimate pharmaceutical industry.

[inmysights]

Oh don't worry your ugly little heads about it, it'll only last a week. Same 'crackdowns' on everything else from pirated goods to tarts bars 'opening hours, to bike helmets to er, over the counter prescription drugs.

[coma]

Ohh stop your worrying guys. Viagra is not an addictive med so the come down will be nothing.

[TAWP]

Ohh stop your worrying guys. Viagra is not an addictive med so the come down will be nothing.

Well, a few inches, give or take...