The Ministry of Health warns the population about the discovery of a fake antibiotic, commonly used to treat various infections in the country. The Directorate of Regulation of Products of Sanitary Interest, indicated that it is a fake version of the drug Rocephin 1 gram.
On September 30th, 2017, a pharmaceutical agent of a private pharmacy in Sarapiquí de Heredia reported the existence of 10 bottles of Rocephin 1 gram with a different appearance to the presentation authorized in Costa Rica. These bottles were taken to the pharmacy by a woman looking for assistance for her husband. She said that they had bought them in Nicaragua from a doctor directly in their office.
The doses were not applied, but rather sent to Switzerland for an analysis by the experts of the company Roche, which is the laboratory that holds the original medicine.
As explained by the Ministry of Health, the original medicine contains the active ingredient ceftriaxone, a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the family of cephalosporins, which is used to treat a variety of infections caused by bacteria and which can be used through intravenous or intramuscular routes.
The experts in Switzerland issued their results on January 15th and confirmed that the bottles are fake since they contain another ingredient (cefazolin) as well as unidentified contaminants in small concentrations. In addition, the arts, the quality of the label printing, the quality and form of the “flip-off” cap are not equivalent to genuine Roche materials, and bear the “525” lot and the expiration date “06/2020” that do not correspond to legitimate lots.
The concern of the authorities is that a counterfeit medicine can put people’s lives at risk. This is why it is recommended to purchase medications only in establishments that have a Health Operating Permit issued by the Ministry of Health.