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تسجيل

Counterfeits

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  p326-327

2026-10-29

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Counterfeits

There are many examples of counterfeit or substandard pharmaceutical products that are fraudulently labelled with respect to their source or content. Their use has resulted in failure of treatment or even poisoning (Reidenberg and Conner 2001). Less surprisingly, products of uncertain origin appear on the drug-abuse scene. Diazepam tablets that appear to be profession ally made and of foreign origin are commonly in circulation in the UK (Fig. 1), but neither the manufacturer nor the importer is known. Anabolic agents in ampoules and tablets, purportedly from reputable manufacturers, have been detected that do not contain the active ingredient stated on the packaging. For example, the counterfeit product shown in Figure 2 was found to contain testosterone, and not bolden one as stated on the packaging, where the word steroid was incorrectly spelled. Illicit tablets of similar appearance, prob ably made in the same machine, may also contain different active ingredients. Examples of the tablet shown in Figure 3 have been found to contain methyltestosterone, methandrostenalone or clenbuterol. Individual legitimate pharmaceutical tablets may also be modified by hand to look like other products and so increase their value. The half-scored tablet in Figure 4 had a Y-shaped marking (similar to the Mercedes motor manufacturer’s logo) carved on to make it resemble an ecstasy tablet.

Figure 1 Diazepam tablets that appear to be professionally made but are of unknown origin. (Courtesy of TICTAC Communications Ltd.)

Figure 2 Counterfeit anabolic steroid (Boldebal-H) packaging with spelling mistake. (Courtesy of TICTAC Communications Ltd.)

Figure 3 Illicit tablet seen with different active ingredients (either methyltestosterone, methandrostenalone or clenbuterol). (Courtesy of TICTAC Communications Ltd.)

Figure 4 Legitimate tablet modified to look like an ecstasy tablet. (Courtesy of TICTAC Communications Ltd.)