Suspected fake medicine: identify, quarantine, report
A one-page procedure your team can follow when a pack looks wrong, with a record form for each case.
For chemists, hospital pharmacies and distributors. Free to copy and share.
1. Identify: warning signs
- Bought outside the usual licensed suppliers, without a proper invoice, or at a price far below normal.
- Printing that is blurred, misspelt or different from a genuine pack; missing batch number, expiry or manufacturer details.
- Batch or expiry on the strip or vial that does not match the carton or the invoice.
- Broken or re-glued seals, unusual colour, cloudiness or particles.
- A QR code that will not scan, or shows a different product, batch or expiry.
- Complaints from patients that the medicine did not work or felt different.
2. Quarantine: straight away
- Stop selling and dispensing the product. Do not return it to stock.
- Move every unit of that batch to a separate, labelled area: “Suspect — not for sale”. Keep refrigerated products refrigerated.
- Keep the packs, invoices and any photos together. Do not destroy anything.
3. Report: the same day
- The supplier you bought it from, and the manufacturer (contact details on the pack).
- Your state drug control authority, for suspected spurious or substandard medicines.
- If a patient had a side effect: the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India, toll-free 1800-180-3024.
- If the product came from RS Surgipharm: rssurgipharm.com/report-a-concernReport a concern, or call or WhatsApp +91 93771 31305.
4. Record
| Date found | Product, strength, pack | Batch / expiry | Quantity held | Bought from (invoice) | Reported to, when | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Related: How to check if a medicine is genuine in India.
Free resource from R S Surgipharm Private Limited, Ahmedabad — rssurgipharm.com/resources/suspected-fake-medicine-procedure/. General guidance; always follow the product label and the manufacturer’s instructions.