Egypt Withdraws Counterfeit Medications to Protect Public Health
In a preventive measure aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring the quality of medications available, the Egyptian Drug Authority has issued an official report detailing the withdrawal and cessation of circulation of several counterfeit drugs and biological preparations. This action follows the discovery of non-compliant and counterfeit packaging.
This initiative aligns with the state's strategy to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, ensuring access to safe and effective medications for every Egyptian citizen, especially as the country faces a new wave of medication shortages following months of addressing previous crises.
* List of Withdrawn Medications:
• EREC_PREDAPOX: A sexual stimulation preparation for men, its circulation has been immediately halted due to the detection of counterfeit packaging in the market.
• Otrivin Adult Nasal Drops 0.1%: Popular nasal drops for adults, their circulation was stopped after confirming the existence of counterfeit copies that did not comply with the original manufacturer.
• Duphaston 10 mg: A hormonal medication used to regulate hormones and alleviate menstrual pain, withdrawn due to counterfeit packaging posing a risk to users.
• Zurcal IV Powder: An intravenous powder for treating gastroesophageal reflux, its circulation has been halted after counterfeit packaging was found in certain pharmacies.
• Selgon 10 mg: A preparation for treating cough in children, withdrawn for non-compliance with the technical specifications approved by the Egyptian Drug Authority.
* Strong Warning to Citizens
The Authority emphasized that consuming any medication outside of official control or proven 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 present in counterfeit preparations.
It urged citizens to:
_ Purchase medications only from reliable sources.
_ Immediately report any suspicious counterfeit packaging.
The Authority confirmed its ongoing intensive inspection campaigns across all governorates to monitor non-compliant pharmacies and warehouses, stressing that there is "zero tolerance" for any actions that compromise the safety of Egyptian patients or threaten medication security.
