Focus on drug counterfeiting
According to the Product Piracy Report 2024, Austrian customs recorded a six per cent increase in counterfeit medicines, especially sexual enhancers, compared to the previous year. Why is there still such an urgent warning against counterfeit medicines, even though the total quantity of confiscated preparations has fallen? The answer: the quality of counterfeits is becoming increasingly dangerous. Counterfeit medicines often contain the wrong active ingredients, no effect or, in the worst case, toxic substances. The damage to health can be massive. Particularly problematic: most of these counterfeits are sold via social media, online marketplaces or the darknet, platforms without any control or authorisation. This makes counterfeit medicines a growing threat to consumers, including in Austria.
Drug counterfeiting for potency and fertility drugs
Potency and fertility drugs are a key target of drug counterfeiters. 6,000 counterfeit potency pills were recently intercepted by customs. The reason for the high demand? Discretion, convenience and often shame mean that many people prefer to order online. The inhibition threshold for obtaining a prescription is often high. At the same time, supposedly cheap and quick solutions are offered on social media. This is precisely what criminals exploit. As a result, the trade in counterfeit preparations is booming, to the detriment of the health of buyers. This is precisely where the danger of counterfeit drugs becomes apparent: what appears harmless can have serious side effects or be completely ineffective. Anyone ordering online is taking an enormous risk, especially without medical supervision.
Counterfeit medicines for lifestyle preparations
In addition to classics such as sexual enhancers, modern lifestyle preparations are also becoming the focus of drug counterfeiters. The slimming injection Ozempic is currently in particularly high demand. Originally intended for diabetics, it has become a slimming trend thanks to TikTok & Co. with fatal consequences. The black market is literally flooded with supposed Ozempic, which often contains no real active ingredient or, in the worst case, even harmful substances. Sleeping pills, painkillers and anxiety-relieving drugs are also affected, mostly because of their sedative or mind-altering effects. Drug counterfeiting in these areas is particularly dangerous, as it often involves highly effective preparations where an incorrect dosage can be life-threatening.
Tips for safe online shopping and travelling
The majority of counterfeit medicines come from the Internet. Many sites appear to be reputable, but are in fact criminally organised. The most important rule against counterfeit medicines: only order from authorised online pharmacies. These can be recognised by an EU safety logo and a verifiable legal notice. Never buy via social media or messenger - the risk of counterfeiting is extremely high there. The safest place is still your local pharmacy, where medicines are strictly controlled, correctly stored and professionally dispensed. Especially now, before Easter and the upcoming holiday trips, it is important to take medication from a trustworthy source. Not only is it difficult to obtain medicines abroad, the rate of counterfeiting can also be higher. A well-stocked first-aid kit protects against unpleasant surprises and dangerous counterfeit medicines.
Manuel Wendl warns on „Guten Morgen Österreich“ about counterfeit medicines
Mag. pharm. Manuel Wendl was on the ORF programme this morning Good morning Austria and spoke about the alarming developments surrounding Drug counterfeiting. In his presentation, he provided practical insights into the risks of buying medicines online, explained the typical characteristics of counterfeit products and showed how consumers can effectively protect themselves. His appeal: only buy medicines from safe, certified sources; your own health should not be a risk.
