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August 23, 2024
New Mexico’s Legal & Financial Weekly
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How to Detect Fake Over the Counter Products Online
Vol. 10.104 No. 34
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uying over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or dietary supplements online can be easy and convenient, but how can you be sure that you know and trust the seller? As the number of counterfeit OTC products sold online has grown in recent years, along with scammers’ abilities to mimic legitimate products, experts at the Health In Hand Foundation, a non-profit with 20 years of helping consumers safely choose and use consumer healthcare products, are here to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of counterfeit and resold OTC products.
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Honest consumer healthcare companies ensure the safety and quality of their products in many ways, including using regulated factories that follow strict safety standards and verified manufacturing practices. However, some individuals produce counterfeit versions of these same medicines in facilities with little or no regulation, quality control, or safety standards. When you purchase products online, the options can seem endless. One option is buying directly from a manufacturer’s website ([BRAND]. com), where products are sold and shipped directly to you from the manufacturer. Alternatively, you may purchase products from an online retailer that sells multiple brands and products (e.g. Amazon, Walmart, Costco, or a No contact information. If the seller doesn’t have a physical address or pharmacy retailer). But make sure to look carefully because well-known telephone number listed within the United States, the business could be e-commerce websites can have different sellers offering what seems to be fake. the same product on the same results page. So. how can you be sure you’re purchasing from a legitimate seller? Keep these tips and red flags in mind Poor or non-existent customer service policies.* Beware of companies with the next time you plan on buying an OTC product online: no return and/or refund policy. Also, avoid sellers who don’t have secure payment protocols in place to protect your financial information when you Prices that are too good to be true. Sellers of fake OTC medicines will purchase from them online. often offer them at prices much lower than businesses selling the genuine product. Although the products may be fake, these sellers can still appear at the top of search results. *Important note: Genuine sellers often do not allow returns on OTC medications, so please review all factors mentioned before buying. Photos that do not match the product. A low-quality image or an image that differs from the advertised item is another sign of a fake product. If you have already placed an online order for an OTC product, inspect Some sellers will alter a photo by blurring or blocking the brand to avoid it closely when it arrives to ensure it has not been damaged or disturbed. counterfeit detection. Trust your instincts. If the packaging or labeling looks off or if the product itself does not look right, return it and report it. Becoming an informed Wording that doesn’t describe the product. If the brand name is missing shopper helps you find the legitimate and trustworthy products you need from the listings, be cautious. Some sellers don’t mention the brand name to help you feel your best. in the listing to avoid counterfeit detection, and they may have an image of a branded product with a nonspecific description. Visit healthinhand.org for more tips and advice about choosing and using consumer healthcare products safely. Unclear or confusing reviews. Reviews that don’t match the product listed or comments that are confusing or inauthentic are red flags alerting you to -(NewsUSA) a possible fake.