by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 15, 2023
The Ministry of Health in Belize has alerted the public to the discovery of counterfeit Sudagrip medication in the country.
The authorities came across the bottles of fake Sudagrip during routine surveillance activities in the Stann Creek District. The counterfeit medication was found at a retail outlet, setting off alarm bells for health officials and the public alike.
The issue has been taken very seriously by the Ministry, leading to the immediate seizure of the suspect medication from the outlet where it was found.
More importantly, the discovery has prompted the Ministry to embark on a comprehensive investigation on a countrywide scale.
The aim is to identify and eliminate all instances of this counterfeit medication from the market, thus mitigating potential health risks associated with its use.
Sudagrip is a widely used medication in Belize, making this discovery particularly alarming. In light of the situation, the Ministry of Health has issued an advisory urging the public to be cautious when purchasing this medicine, especially from less familiar outlets.
The Ministry has also provided specific guidance to help the public distinguish between the counterfeit product and the genuine Sudagrip.
Authentic Sudagrip is identifiable by the correctly positioned logo on the packaging. The capsules themselves should have the brand name ‘SUDAGRIP’ embossed on them. Any deviation from this standard is a clear indicator of a counterfeit product.
In an effort to immediately address the issue, the Ministry of Health is seeking active public assistance. Individuals who come across counterfeit Sudagrip are urged to report it to the Ministry at [email protected] or by calling the designated helpline at 822-2325.
Such actions will not only help in tracking down counterfeit products but also contribute to the overall health and safety of the public.
Amandala reached out to the Minister of Health, Hon. Kevin Bernard, for a comment on the alarming issue, but he is currently out of the country at a ministerial conference. We also reached out to the head drug inspector, Chrystal Samouge, but up to press time she had not responded.