Dominican Republic. The Secretariat of State for Public Health and Social Assistance (SESPAS) has published an announcement in the national press warning the public about counterfeit medicines.

The Secretariat received a report that counterfeit and unapproved medicines were being sold to the population. It was informed by the Department of investigations of counterfeiting of the National Police that some medicines had been seized. Laboratory analysis showed that they contained the correct active ingredient but these products were believed to be counterfeit because the labelling did not correspond to the genuine product.

The general public are therefore recommended to check that the packaging of medicines contains the following information:

• name of laboratory
• number of registration
• lot number
• expiry date.

Pharmacists and Health Centres are urged to ensure that they acquire medicines only from authorized warehouses and distributors.

Reference: Public Announcement from the Secretariat of State for Public Health and Social Assistance, 14 March 1998.