Egypt Issues Recall of Counterfeit Medications Amid Health Concerns
In a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring the quality of medications in circulation, the Egyptian Drug Authority has issued an official report announcing the recall and suspension of sales of several medications and biological products. This action follows the discovery of counterfeit packaging that does not meet approved technical specifications.
This initiative is part of the government's strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and to guarantee access to safe and effective medications for all Egyptian citizens. This comes as the Egyptian market faces a new wave of medication shortages after previous crises had been under control for several months.
* List of Recalled Medications:
• EREC_PREDAPOX: A male sexual stimulant, whose sale has been halted following the identification of counterfeit packaging on the market.
• Otrivin Adult Nasal Drops 0.1%: The well-known nasal drops for adults, which have been withdrawn after counterfeit versions were found not to match the original manufacturer.
• Duphaston 10 mg: A hormone preparation used for regulating hormones and alleviating menstrual pain, recalled due to counterfeit packaging posing a risk to users.
• Zurcal Powder for IV: Powder for intravenous injection used to treat gastroesophageal reflux, whose sale has been stopped after counterfeit packaging was detected in some pharmacies.
• Selgon 10 mg: A medication for treating cough in children, recalled for failing to meet the Egyptian Drug Authority's approved technical specifications.
* Urgent Warning to Citizens
The authority emphasized that consuming medications outside of official control or those marked as counterfeit can lead to severe damage to vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and digestive system, potentially resulting in complete organ failure due to unknown substances in counterfeit formulations.
The authority urges citizens to:
_ Purchase medications only from trusted sources.
_ Report any suspicious packaging immediately.
The authority confirmed that it will continue its intensive inspection campaigns across all governorates to take action against pharmacies and warehouses that violate regulations, stressing that "there will be no leniency towards any manipulation that jeopardizes the safety of Egyptian patients or the integrity of medications."
