If you are someone who likes to save money on prescriptions by purchasing medications online, you may be doing it at the expense of your health. After all, it is not uncommon for websites and “online pharmacies” to sell counterfeit drugs instead of brand-name medications. Health organizations and authorities have warned Americans about the dangers of purchasing and taking fake drugs. Unless you are buying medications from a certified pharmacist, there is no way to tell if the medicine you are purchasing is not counterfeit. If you have purchased counterfeit medication in Lexington or elsewhere in Kentucky, do not hesitate to contact the police, seek medical attention to rule out the possibility of injury or illness, and talk to a Lexington medical malpractice attorney to determine liability.

Counterfeit Drugs in Lexington

The Drug Enforcement Administration has recently seized fake fentanyl pills from Mexico in the Lexington area, according to WKYT. Fentanyl is a high-risk synthetic opioid that can cause death in very small doses. Health organizations estimate that fentanyl causes more deaths in the U.S. than any other illegal drug in the country. The DEA warns that Mexican drug cartels are producing mass quantities of counterfeit prescription pills and opioids containing fentanyl. According to the DEA’s report from earlier this year, nearly a third of all fake drugs seized by the agency contained lethal doses of fentanyl, which is estimated to be about two milligrams.

What are Counterfeit Drugs?

Drug cartels and other individuals and companies that violate the federal law and endanger the public create a fake version of popular medication to sell it to consumers without a prescription. Most of them could not care less about the proper contents of their counterfeit drugs because all they care about is financial gain. Counterfeit drugs are any medications sold without any approval or authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. These fake drugs can be:

  • Fraudulent
  • Mislabeled
  • Defective
  • Highly addictive
  • Contaminated
  • Have contents that differ from the actual drug

Can You Sue if You Purchased a Counterfeit Drug?

Yes, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit if you unknowingly purchased a counterfeit drug that caused you harm. Your suit could be based on negligence if the seller, distributor, manufacturer, or another party breached their duty of care. You can file a medical malpractice suit if a medical professional or pharmacist knew or should have known that the drug they were giving or prescribing is counterfeit. For your medical malpractice claim to succeed, your lawyer will have to establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care. Learn more about the common signs of medical malpractice. The following parties can be held responsible for administering, giving, selling, prescribing, or recommending counterfeit drugs:

  • Nurses
  • Doctors
  • Pharmacists
  • Persons who provide in-home care or work at care homes
  • Drug manufacturers

If your injury was caused by taking a fake pill that was prescribed by a healthcare provider, start gathering evidence to prepare for your potential medical malpractice lawsuit. Talk to our Lexington medical malpractice lawyer to evaluate your case and determine liability. Contact Roberts Law Office for a free no-obligation consultation. Call at (859) 231-0202.