How to Identify Genuine Imported Medicines

and Avoid Spurious Drugs

Why Medicine Authenticity Matters More Than Ever

Access to innovative medicines has become increasingly important for patients with cancer, rare diseases, autoimmune disorders, and other life-threatening conditions. Many patients in India rely on imported medicines through legal pathways such as the Named Patient Program (NPP) when therapies are not commercially available locally.

However, the growing demand for imported therapies has also led to a concerning rise in counterfeit, substandard, and improperly sourced medicines in the market.

Patients and caregivers are often vulnerable during treatment decisions. In many cases, they may unknowingly purchase medicines from unauthorized suppliers offering unusually low prices, no documentation, or unverifiable products.

At MitoGENE, patient safety and medicine authenticity remain our highest priorities.

What Are Spurious or Counterfeit Medicines?

For cancer patients and critically ill patients, even a small compromise in medicine quality can have serious consequences.

Warning Signs of Potentially Fake or Unsafe Medicines

Patients should be cautious if:

1. The Supplier Cannot Provide Documentation

A legitimate supplier should be able to provide:

• Invoice
• Batch information
• Manufacturer details
• Import documentation
• Cold chain evidence (where applicable)
• Prescription verification process

If a supplier refuses to provide documentation, it is a major red flag.

2. Prices Are Unrealistically Low

Imported innovative medicines involve:

• Manufacturer sourcing
• International logistics
• Regulatory procedures
• Import permits
• Customs clearance
• Temperature-controlled shipping

If a product is being sold at a suspiciously low price compared to standard international pricing, patients should investigate carefully.

3. Packaging Appears Altered

Patients should inspect:

• Seal integrity
• Manufacturer logo quality
• Batch numbers
• Expiry date formatting
• Tamper evidence
• Language inconsistencies
• Smudged printing or stickers placed over original labels

Any mismatch in packaging should be verified before use.

4. The Seller Avoids Medical Documentation

Responsible suppliers will request:

• Valid prescription
• Doctor details
• Patient details
• Import documentation where applicable

If medicines are being offered without proper medical documentation, patients should proceed carefully.

Why Authorized Sourcing Is Important

Genuine imported medicines should ideally be sourced through:

• Authorized global distributors
• Licensed pharmacies
• Valid regulatory pathways
• Named Patient Program mechanisms

At MitoGENE, medicines are sourced through regulated and verified supply channels with emphasis on authenticity, traceability, and patient safety.

Example: Why Authenticity Matters in Oncology Medicines

Many targeted oncology therapies require highly precise formulations.

Examples include:

• RET-targeted therapies
• KRAS-targeted therapies
• HER2-directed therapies
• FGFR inhibitors
• Immunotherapy products

A counterfeit or improperly stored targeted therapy may contain reduced potency or degraded active ingredients, directly affecting treatment outcomes.

For example, therapies such as:

• Retsevmo (selpercatinib)
• Lumakras (sotorasib)
• Truqap (capivasertib)
• Orserdu (elacestrant)

require careful sourcing and handling.

How MitoGENE Helps Ensure Medicine Authenticity

MitoGENE supports patients and healthcare professionals by:

Our focus is patient safety, transparency, and responsible access.

Tips for Patients and Caregivers

Before purchasing any imported medicine:

• Verify the supplier’s legitimacy
• Request invoices and batch details
• Confirm manufacturer information
• Avoid deals that appear “too good to be true”
• Ask about storage and transportation conditions
• Work only with qualified medical professionals
• Ensure the medicine is prescribed by a licensed doctor

Final Thoughts

When dealing with life-saving medicines, authenticity is not optional.

Choosing a trusted and compliant sourcing partner can help reduce the risk of counterfeit medicines, improper handling, and unsafe storage conditions.

Patients deserve access to genuine therapies with full transparency and responsible handling.