Stolen and counterfeit medicines endanger the lives of Mexicans

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck Mexico, the Cofepris has issued five alerts after authorities registered the theft and counterfeit of medicines to treat diabetes , cancer , HIV , epilepsy , and drugs for ophthalmic use.

Representatives from the pharmaceutical industry reported the thefts to take place when the medicine is transported to pharmacies and stores. The stolen medicine is being sold through Facebook .

The drugs affected by counterfeit and theft are those used to treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, and HIV.

According to reports regarding patients infected with COVID-19 , 21% of them suffer from high blood pressure, 21% have obesity, 18% have diabetes and 8% are smokers.

On May 12, after the theft of 7,200 pieces of dulaglutide , sold under the brand name Trulicity , the Cofepris issued an alert, as the quality of the medicine could have been compromised. According to the manufacturer, this drug must be refrigerated at all times.

In addition to theft, criminals also counterfeit drugs and sell them through social media.

The sale of stolen and counterfeit medicines translates into MXN 10,000 million losses for the pharmaceutical industry every year.

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Pharmaceutical representative José Alonso Novelo Baeza explains that in regard to dasatinib , a medicine used to treat cancer, Bristol-Myers Squibb analyzed a lot and found irregularities that indicated it was counterfeited.

The situation is similar regarding Tegretol , a medicine used to treat epilepsy. Novartis reported the counterfeit products to the Cofepris.

Other counterfeited drugs include prednisolone and Atripla , which is used by HIV patients. Thieves also sell clonazepam and levetiracetam .

Becerra alerts that controlled medicines are being sold in the black market and Facebook .

According to numbers released by the Pharmaceutical Industry National Chamber, around 8 million people purchase stolen medicine, which in many cases has expired.

The majority of these cases are registered in Jalisco, Michoacán, Puebla, Nuevo León, and Mexico City.

According to estimates, this black market generates between USD 650 million and USD 1,500 million per year.

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