May 27, 2009

(McClatchy-Tribune Information Services) -- Fake erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs have become increasingly widespread as traders are tapping high demand from Thai consumers via the internet, say international drugmakers.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association (PReMA), a group of 38 pharmaceutical firms, said counterfeit drugs were mostly smuggled through Thailand's borders with neighbouring countries.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has 35 checkpoints in Thailand but its inspections are ineffective in preventing smuggling of illegal drugs, said PReMA president Teera Chakajnarodom.

"The figure reported by the FDA shows the number of fake drugs has not increased over recent years but it doesn't mean they don't exist," he said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), fake drugs generally account for 7-15 percent of medicines in the market in developed countries and 25 percent in developing ones.

"The ED drugs are among those increasingly widespread in number because of high demand," he said.

"This type of drug is not available at drugstores, therefore consumers have to look for other sources and this allows counterfeit ones to gain access."

It is hard to track traders and check the genuineness of drugs available on the internet, said Mr Teera.

Few fake drugs sold with Chinese-language labelling are believed to originate in China, said Mr Teera. But this is difficult to prove because the labels could be printed anywhere.

For PReMA, price is not the factor that creates demand for fake medicines. Consumers buy counterfeit drugs because they are deceived.

"Consumers are totally innocent. It's not like leather goods or other luxury items that consumers buy because of cheaper prices. With drugs, consumers have symptoms and they want drugs to cure them, not kill them or harm their health," said Mr Teera.

To avoid fake drugs, Mr Teera advises patients to buy medicine only from drugstores -- although he admits that only a handful of Thailand's 14,000 pharmacies are quality stores.

"It is almost impossible to have fake drugs on sale at drugstores," he said.

Sirilak Suteekul, country president for Novartis (Thailand), said lifestyle medication, such as for sleeping or weight-control, can offer good prospects for fake products.

In the view of Novartis, the economic slowdown could increase demand for counterfeit medicines. "For sleeping pills, for instance, patients need a certain amount of medicine. But when their income falls or they get made redundant, what are the options? Possibly they are looking for cheaper counterfeit drugs," she said.

But fake drugs are not necessarily cheaper than genuine ones, she said. Sometimes they look very much alike, so fakes can be priced pretty much the same or even higher than genuine products.

"Both consumers and pharmacies consequently need to carefully check details of drugs," said Mrs Sirilak.

"I would say nowadays the chances are higher for consumers to get counterfeit medicines. Please be more cautious if any drug is at a big discount."

Both PReMA and Novartis said pharmaceutical companies should also better educate consumers about avoiding fake drugs, and the dangers they can pose.

At the same time, Thailand's penalties for manufacturing or trading counterfeit medicines are below WHO standards and should be toughened.

Under the Drug Act B.E. 2510, traders or importers unintentionally distributing below-standard medicines are subject to a fine of only 3,000 baht if convicted. The maximum penalties for selling or importing fake drugs are 20 years behind bars or a fine of 10,000 baht, while those producing counterfeit items can face five years in jail and a fine of up to 20,000.

"Actually, these are crimes but the penalties they face are very light like burglars or thieves could face," said Mr. Teera.