The Pharmaceutical Industry has long struggled with how to combat counterfeit products. Thankfully, changes to legislation over the last few years have made life difficult for counterfeiters. But, with the increases in the sales of aesthetic products the potential is there for a change in their focus.
It is not a nice feeling thinking that you could unwittingly buy counterfeit or fake dermal fillers, or other aesthetic products. But, to help reduce the risk, there are a number of things that can be done.
Here are or 6 Top Tips to help identify when all may not be as it seems.
Changes in packaging – while packaging can change for legitimate reasons, the cardboard box, internal packaging and any package inserts could also be used to help identify a fake product. Look for a difference in size, feel and thickness of the material. The most commonly missed attribute is a different colour of card inside the box.
Difference in the print – look at the shade of the ink colour, including black. The depth of the colour, such as a bolder font can be an indication of a fake. It isn’t unusual for at least a little bit of text to be different in font size or width (narrow vs standard font) in fakes. A great indicator of a problem will also be the method of how the batch and expiry details are printed on the box. Most manufacturers will use the same equipment for this so there shouldn’t be a difference.
Batch and expiry patterns – most manufacturers batch numbers will follow a pattern and their expiry dates will match this pattern. If an expiry date is out of sync with the batch number pattern then it’s time to be cautious.
The actual product and any associated devices – those of you who use the product all the time will know how the device feels, looks or even smells, even if it is just how it sits in your hand when you handle it.
Make sure you use a reliable supplier – Take your normal precautions with websites. Companies that also sell medicines can have their wholesale dealers licence checked with the MHRA. The General Pharmaceutical Council can confirm Pharmacy registrations. Internet pharmacies in the UK are required to display the green internet pharmacy logo on their website. You can click on the logo and link to a confirmation of their registration.
If you are offered a deal that is too good to be true then be cautious. – If the price is too good and the volume unusual, ask questions about the source.
A handy hint is to keep the packaging of an old product. If you have any concerns, lay the old pack and new pack side by side and check each panel. It is far easier to spot differences in text, colour, size and feel when you can compare one against the other. Run your finger over the print and compare the feel.
It will rarely be one indicator that identifies a product as a fake. It will more likely be a combination of several subtle differences.
What to Do
If you suspect you have a counterfeit, don’t use it and speak to your supplier. If you are still unhappy about it, then report it to the authorities via the MHRA yellow card scheme (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/counterfeit-products/).
Sheryl-Anne Glanvill
Operations Director – Teleta Pharma
Great question! The answer is, I don’t know.. and that’s the scary part. We (along with other accredited, certified and compliant suppliers) can only guarantee the authenticity of the products we sell.
Buying from one of those sites carries A LOT of risks. Not only are you buying something that may not be what it says on the box but practitioners buying those products may find themselves not insured in the event of a disaster.
If you believe the product purchased such as Profhilo to be fake what can you do about reporting it, or stopping it from being sold online? Also, how can you check an item is genuine if you are unfamiliar with the packaging?
Sadly, it is harder to identify if a product you are not familiar with is counterfeit. It is a matter of taking multiple steps to assure yourself that it is correct and having a reliable supplier will be a big part of that. If I knew that I was going to use the product again then I would purchase a second pack from a different supplier and compare them. If you purchased the pack from a licensed pharmacy or MHRA registered wholesaler then you could refer back to them. They are required to have procedures in place to handle this type of concern and are also required to report any suspicions to the authorities themselves. A supplier who is licenced would be just as concerned as you about this. Another option would be to raise your concern directly with the manufacturer (or distributor). It is possible that they have anti-counterfeiting measures on the packaging that are not common knowledge or they can check the batch details. Some packs may also contain serial numbers.
We can’t really comment on whether those companies sell legit or fake products but, I am surprised that has been your experience with them! Did you take this up with RM/Wimpole?
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Top Tips To Help Identify Fake Dermal Fillers & Aesthetic Products
Fake Dermal Fillers & Aesthetic Products exist, fact.
The Pharmaceutical Industry has long struggled with how to combat counterfeit products. Thankfully, changes to legislation over the last few years have made life difficult for counterfeiters. But, with the increases in the sales of aesthetic products the potential is there for a change in their focus.
It is not a nice feeling thinking that you could unwittingly buy counterfeit or fake dermal fillers, or other aesthetic products. But, to help reduce the risk, there are a number of things that can be done.
Here are or 6 Top Tips to help identify when all may not be as it seems.
A handy hint is to keep the packaging of an old product. If you have any concerns, lay the old pack and new pack side by side and check each panel. It is far easier to spot differences in text, colour, size and feel when you can compare one against the other. Run your finger over the print and compare the feel.
It will rarely be one indicator that identifies a product as a fake. It will more likely be a combination of several subtle differences.
What to Do
If you suspect you have a counterfeit, don’t use it and speak to your supplier. If you are still unhappy about it, then report it to the authorities via the MHRA yellow card scheme (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/counterfeit-products/).
Sheryl-Anne Glanvill
Operations Director – Teleta Pharma
6 replies to “Top Tips To Help Identify Fake Dermal Fillers & Aesthetic Products”
Emma
Are the fillers sold in companies like Wish and Ali Express likely to be fake?
Craig
Hi Emma,
Great question! The answer is, I don’t know.. and that’s the scary part. We (along with other accredited, certified and compliant suppliers) can only guarantee the authenticity of the products we sell.
Buying from one of those sites carries A LOT of risks. Not only are you buying something that may not be what it says on the box but practitioners buying those products may find themselves not insured in the event of a disaster.
Thanks for posting that question!
Joanna
If you believe the product purchased such as Profhilo to be fake what can you do about reporting it, or stopping it from being sold online? Also, how can you check an item is genuine if you are unfamiliar with the packaging?
Craig
Sadly, it is harder to identify if a product you are not familiar with is counterfeit. It is a matter of taking multiple steps to assure yourself that it is correct and having a reliable supplier will be a big part of that. If I knew that I was going to use the product again then I would purchase a second pack from a different supplier and compare them. If you purchased the pack from a licensed pharmacy or MHRA registered wholesaler then you could refer back to them. They are required to have procedures in place to handle this type of concern and are also required to report any suspicions to the authorities themselves. A supplier who is licenced would be just as concerned as you about this. Another option would be to raise your concern directly with the manufacturer (or distributor). It is possible that they have anti-counterfeiting measures on the packaging that are not common knowledge or they can check the batch details. Some packs may also contain serial numbers.
To report suspected or actual fake/counterfeit products independent of the supplier you should email the MHRA (devices.compliance@mhra.gov.uk). Further details are here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/report-a-non-compliant-medical-device-enforcement-process/report-a-non-compliant-or-suspected-counterfeit-medical-device. It appears that the link to the Yellow Card scheme on the site doesn’t work though so the email is the best option. Don’t use them until you are certain that they are genuine.
Amanda Robbins
Is wimpole pharmacy and reliable Medicare legit ?
I believe I have brought fake products from them
Teleta Editorial
Hi Amanda,
We can’t really comment on whether those companies sell legit or fake products but, I am surprised that has been your experience with them! Did you take this up with RM/Wimpole?
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