Medication safety is important for personal health. Consumers must remain alert to potential signs of tampering. Checking medication for any irregularities is a necessary step in ensuring its safety before use. This approach helps safeguard against harmful products entering your home.
External Packaging Inspection
Examine the packaging of your medication. Look for any visible signs of damage, such as tears, or punctures on the box or shrink wrap. Pay close attention to re-glued flaps or unusual wear that might suggest the package has been opened and resealed.
Confirm that the product name, dosage, batch number, and expiration date on the packaging match your prescription or any previous purchases of the same medication. Inconsistencies, misspellings, or poor printing quality on the label can indicate a tampered product.
Internal Container Examination
Once the external packaging is removed, direct your attention to the immediate container holding the medication. For bottles, check the cap to ensure it is sealed and undamaged. An intact inner tamper-evident seal, such as a foil seal or a plastic ring under the cap, should be present and unbroken.
Observe if any cotton or desiccant packets are missing or appear disturbed from their usual placement inside the container. If the medication comes in blister packs or strip packs, inspect each bubble for signs of being popped or re-sealed. Look for missing pills or any unusual arrangements of the medication within the pack.
Medication Appearance and Characteristics
Inspect the medication itself. For pills or tablets, examine them for any changes in color, shape, or size compared to what you expect. Note any unusual markings, chips, cracks, or the presence of a powdery residue on their surface.
Capsules should be inspected for discoloration, stickiness, or any indications they have been opened and re-glued, which might show different colored powders inside. Liquid medications should appear clear, without cloudiness, particles, or separation of components, and their consistency should be uniform. Powders should be free from clumping or foreign objects, and their texture should be as expected.
Pay close attention to the scent of the medication; any unusual or chemical odors not typical for the product should raise suspicion. Never taste the medication, as this could expose you to harmful or unknown substances.
What to Do if Tampering is Suspected
If you suspect your medication has been tampered with, do not use it. Contact the pharmacy where the medication was purchased, your prescribing doctor, or the medication manufacturer to report your concerns. They can verify lot numbers and provide guidance.
Keep the medication and all original packaging exactly as you found them, as this serves as important evidence for investigation. Take clear photographs of any suspicious findings, including packaging irregularities or altered medication. Report the incident to relevant regulatory authorities, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through their MedWatch program. This reporting helps protect others and aids in identifying and investigating potential counterfeit products in the supply chain.