2002 - 2003: Counterfeit Antimicrobials in South Asia

Counterfeit medicines tackling the poor and downtrodden in Calcutta. In 2002/2003, performance of a market survey initiated by a local charity supplying medical and pharmaceutical services to poor urban people. Samples were purchased from retail pharmacies and wholesalers. Although the quality of antibacterials was found to be fine in general, two metronidazole preparations proved to be about 50% low in drug content. The fake tablets are presented with a new colour coat making the engravings from the original tablet disappearing. In contrast to this, the packaging material (push-through blister pack) and print was of good quality and did not give a hint away on the phony tablets it was containing.

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