Medication Identifiers to Differentiate Between Fake and Real Drugs

With numerous technological advancements, the healthcare industry has benefited from its core. First, the education sector excelled and now, doctors in every area are acquiring better skills and knowledge. Second, the treatment processes have evolved, and they are better than before. The 24/7 availability of urgent care is another fantastic advancement that is helping people everywhere. Lastly, the administration at hospitals and clinics is enjoying advanced technology. Keeping patient identity and staff records safe is more convenient. Furthermore, monitoring the actions of doctors, nurses, and other employees are more straightforward.

Fake drugs have made it challenging to ensure patient safety, and doctors and pharmacists are taking all preventive measures to make sure harmful drugs stay away from the patients. Their diligent efforts have highlighted some methods that can help you in getting the appropriate pills for treatment. So KYP Know Your Patient is the best solution for the medical field.

Visual Inspection of the Pills

The Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has set specific restrictions for drug production. Identifying an FDA approved drug would not be a problem because every pill has a different appearance. Medicines differ in color, shape, and size as well. Every medicine must be different from the other.

Did you know that the US economy bears a loss of 68 billion dollars annually due to healthcare frauds? Do not forget to check the expiration date and packaging of the drug. If you find anything suspicious, go for a deeper inspection.

Dosage Inspection

You can also check the dosage mentioned on the packaging. Check whether there is any crushed matter lying at the bottom of the bottle or any crystals on the bottleneck. For medicine strips, check for cracks or broken seal. Discoloration, cracking, mottling, or swelling can result in a low or high dosage of the drug. Hence, dosage inspection is another identification trick for using the right drugs.

Online Pill Identifier Tools

Thanks to betterment in technology, online pill identifier tools are available. All you have to do is enter the required information like the color of the pill, manufacturer details, and size of the pill. The US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health runs an online pill identifier called Pillbox, which is the most authentic source of drug information.

NDC Code – the Healthcare ID

Amidst all other methods, verifying the NDC code is the best. It is a combination of three different aspects of the medicines; the labeler, the product, and the commercial package size. All three are coded in numerals. The NDC code in the US is a 10 or 11-digit number divided into three segments, and a universal human drug identifier.

Unusual Side Effects of the Drugs

If you have forgotten to identify any drugs, keep a check on its effects. Fake drugs will always result in a mild side effect in the beginning. The majority of these side effects are not mentioned on the packaging so, if any medicines cause an allergic reaction or swelling, discontinue its use and visit a doctor immediately.

Summing It Up

Identifying patients, keeping their records safe, and providing the best treatments is crucial when the world is crawling with fraudsters. Fake drugs are exponentially increasing, and everyone should buy the right medicines. Ensuring safety is vital, and medicine identifiers are a remarkable way to differentiate between fake and real drugs. Check the packaging, dosage, and date of expiration. In case of suspicion, check the NDC code or use an online pill identifier for better results. Your health is essential; therefore, take all necessary attempts to avoid fake drugs. Therefore KYC Authentication is the best thing for all corporate sectors to prevent fraud and scams. 

Author Bio:

It’s my passion to write technical material. I have extensive writing experience in the fields of technology and the business industry. Now I’m also writing as an independent influencer for contribution pages. Nowadays I am writing on the Fintech industry that is related to KYC(know your customer) and their identity verification.