Roger-Luc Chayer (Photo: Pixabay)
Medications used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, as well as certain conditions in women, are also very popular within LGBTQ+ communities as recreational drugs. They are part of the chemsex category, which refers to the use of psychoactive substances to enhance and prolong sexual experiences, often in a collective setting.
Indeed, according to health authorities in Canada and Europe, erectile dysfunction medications are consumed at a higher rate in the gay community than in the general population.
However, there is a vast international network for the manufacturing of these counterfeit medications. An alert has been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has opened an investigation into the origins of these counterfeits that also circulate in legitimate medical practices and among certain ministries, such as that of Veterans Affairs, without authorities being aware that these copies are unauthorized.
How to Detect Counterfeits?
Governments have the technical means to detect counterfeits and distinguish between real and fake medications using various methods. First, the origin of the medication can be traced directly to the manufacturer, who certifies its composition and the quality of the active ingredient. Furthermore, the use of a spectroscope not only allows for the determination of the chemical composition of a tablet but also verifies whether the tablets are consistent with each other.
The spectroscope is an analytical instrument that identifies and characterizes substances by analyzing their interaction with light. To detect counterfeit medications, the spectroscope can be used to examine samples by measuring their absorption, emission, or diffusion of light at various wavelengths.
Each substance has a unique spectrum, which acts like a fingerprint. By comparing the spectrum of a suspicious sample with those of authentic medications, analysts can detect differences indicating counterfeiting, such as variations in chemical composition or purity. This method also helps identify potentially dangerous substances present in counterfeit medications.
The Example of the « Cialis » Tablet Examined by the Spectroscope at Spectre de Rue (Montreal)
Several organizations in the city offer a free drug-checking service before consumption, such as Spectre de Rue, Cactus, or the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud. The process is simple: you just need to bring your drugs, whether they are tablets, powders, etc. A technician will examine the product with a spectroscope and provide the results on-site, without an appointment and at no cost, all without needing to identify yourself.
This is what Jacques did last February with three Cialis tablets given to him by an American friend, who claimed to have purchased them legally with a prescription, but at a ridiculously low price: 20 cents per tablet instead of $12 as sold in Montreal. Not understanding how Cialis could be sold at such a low price, Jacques, suspecting counterfeiting, went to Spectre de Rue in Montreal and requested an examination of his tablets. The results came quickly.
Yes, there were molecules of Cialis, but they were not consistent with the original molecules. Parts of molecules could be detected, but the quantity varied from tablet to tablet, and they were mixed with lactose. Additionally, none of the three tested tablets had the same microscopic weight, which cannot occur when the tablets come from a legitimate manufacturer, as required by law. In conclusion, the tablets were counterfeit.
The Health Risks of Counterfeits
According to Health Canada, counterfeit medications are manufactured to resemble authentic products, but they differ and may not contain the actual medication. They can pose serious health risks if they contain a higher dose than indicated on the label and may contain contaminants or hidden ingredients. Unlike authentic and approved medications, counterfeit medications have not been evaluated by Health Canada for their safety, efficacy, and quality. The sale of counterfeit health products is illegal.
According to NBC News, the number of people who have overdosed and died from fake prescription pills has more than doubled in recent years, with the majority of these deaths occurring among people under 35 years old.
The main source of deaths related to counterfeit medications comes from fake online pharmacies, which are rampant and often give the impression of being legitimate, claiming that the medications sold are certified as genuine, like generics, which is not the case. Only medications sold in legitimate brick-and-mortar pharmacies are certified and safe. Most deaths caused by counterfeit medications are attributed to ingredients unrelated to Viagra or Cialis; fentanyl, a very powerful drug that can cause respiratory arrest, has even been found multiple times.
In case of doubt, have your tablet examined by a free checking service.