Cofepris warned about batches of fake oncological drugs: what to do if you used any

After the Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris) launched a latent alert for the falsification of 10 batches of cancer treatment, as well as an antibiotic for exclusive use by the health sector, in this space we will reveal what to do if you have any of these drugs.

These are 10 false batches of the cancer treatment Opdivo and the antibiotic Meropenem, which when consumed can be harmful to health. In addition, they have various irregularities, such as:

Opaque and rigid security seals, legends in English, do not display the sanitary registration number or brand logo on secondary packaging, primary containers with dark gray and/or white removable lids with blue cap and identification lines on the front of the container.

According to Cofepris, there are also differences between fake batches, so each one records different anomalies. This alert is issued with the aim of allowing patients, medical personnel, distributors, pharmacies and institutions to recognize fake products and prevent damage to health by avoiding their consumption.

The treatment of Opdivo is used in the case of carcinomas, melanomas and lung cancer.

What are the fake batches?

-AAAA

-BBB3855

-ADE3101

- BBS2497

-AAX7296

-AA23012

-ABG4099

-BBS2500

-ABL4615

-ABW687

In order to identify the lots that are not recognized as manufactured by the company that owns the health registry, they bear legends in English, lack the company logo and do not have a health record.

What to do if you have a fake drug?

*If you have the product Opdivo (nivolumab), 100mg/10mL, solution, with the batch numbers referred to above, discontinue use and contact your healthcare professional to continue your medical treatment.

*Purchase the product in pharmacies that have a health license and operating notice.

*If you identify apocryphal lots, it is recommended not to purchase them. If they have them in stock in stock, immobilize them and make the health report through the following page.

*Purchase the product from authorized suppliers.

For its part, the next batch found to be altered or with counterfeits is that of Meropenem, which is used to treat infections.

It is important to note that this medicine is regularly manufactured by Laboratorios Pisa S.A. de C.V., it is for the exclusive use of the Health sector; however, batch K17A812 was not produced by the company.

Some of its irregularities are: texts of the route of administration with spelling errors. Cofepris asked to follow the same recommendations mentioned above if it locates any of the drugs.

What to do if you used one?

If you have consumed the counterfeit product and have any adverse reaction or discomfort, Cofepris asked to send your report to the following address: farmacovigilancia@cofepris.gob.mx.

The health authority announced that it will maintain the necessary surveillance actions, to prevent products, companies or establishments from violating current health legislation and ensure that they do not pose a risk to the health of the people involved.

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