Egypt's Drug Authority Withdraws Counterfeit Medicines to Protect Public Health
In a significant move to safeguard public health and ensure the quality of medications, the Egyptian Drug Authority has announced the withdrawal and suspension of various medicines and biological products following the discovery of counterfeit packaging that fails to meet approved technical standards.
This initiative aligns with the nation's commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and aims to guarantee that safe and effective medicines are accessible to all Egyptian citizens, particularly as the market faces a new wave of drug shortages after previously managing earlier crises.
* List of Withdrawn or Suspended Medicines:
• EREC_PREDAPOX : This male enhancement product has been suspended from circulation after counterfeit packaging was identified.
• Otrivin Adults Nasal Drops 0.1% : The well-known nasal drops for adults have been withdrawn following the confirmation of counterfeit versions that do not comply with the original manufacturer's specifications.
• Duphaston 10 mg : This hormonal medication, used for regulating hormones and alleviating menstrual pain, has been withdrawn due to counterfeit packaging that poses risks to users.
• Zurcal Powder for IV : This intravenous powder for treating gastroesophageal reflux has been suspended after counterfeit packages were found in some pharmacies.
• Selgon 10 mg : This cough treatment for children has been withdrawn for failing to meet the approved technical specifications set by the Egyptian Drug Authority.
* Urgent Advisory for Citizens
The authority has issued a strong warning that using any medication outside of official channels or identified as counterfeit could result in serious damage to vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and digestive system, potentially leading to complete organ failure due to unknown substances in these counterfeit products.
The authority strongly advises citizens to:
_ Purchase medications exclusively from reputable sources.
_ Immediately report any suspicious packages that may be counterfeit.
The authority reiterated its commitment to ongoing inspection campaigns across all governorates to monitor pharmacies and warehouses for compliance, emphasizing that "there will be no tolerance for any actions that compromise the safety of Egyptian patients or threaten drug security."
