A new article "On how to distinguish a fake? Top 9 tips from a professional" in the "Medical products" section on the main portal of the medical industry of Pharmedprom.
In pursuit of the ideal, we all want to trust our beauty only to professionals and cutting-edge technologies. However, in the medical aesthetics market, as in many other areas, a shady business is flourishing — the production and sale of unsafe beauty products. These include, for example, injectable drugs: fillers, revitalizants, and others. Fakes in this category may not only fail to bring the desired result, but also cause serious complications, including life-threatening ones. Evgenia Vladimirovna Zinovieva, PhD, Chairman of the Association of Importers of Cosmetology, Cosmetics and Medical Products (AICCMP), told us how to protect ourselves from possible fakes.
Medical beauty products belong to a high risk class, as their improper use can cause serious harm to health. High-risk products, such as any implants, come into direct contact with internal tissues or organs, can stay in the body for a long time and have a significant impact on it. That is why their registration and quality control are carried out by the state with special care.
1. Bold questions
The main thing you should ask a cosmetologist about if you are going to do any injections is to have a registration certificate for the product that you will be injected with. Do not be shy and be afraid to offend the doctor with your distrust. Any conscientious and educated doctor will understand you correctly and will show you the registration certificate number on the package himself. Also ask your doctor: where was this batch of the drug purchased, what is the composition of the product, what side effects are possible, what are the actions in case of complications.
STOP: if the doctor refuses to answer or explains himself in inaccurate and incomprehensible terms, gives inconclusive arguments; if instead of a registration certificate, the specialist presents you with a declaration, certificate of conformity or certificate of state registration. All these documents are issued for perfumery and cosmetic products for external use, which means that he has no documents for the injected drug.
STOP: if the doctor refuses to answer or explains himself in inaccurate and incomprehensible terms, gives inconclusive arguments; if instead of a registration certificate, the specialist presents you with a declaration, certificate of conformity or certificate of state registration. All these documents are issued for perfumery and cosmetic products for external use, which means that he has no documents for the injected drug.
2. Check, check, and check again
It is necessary to check the registration certificate number on the package, as forgeries often indicate numbers that do not exist or assigned to other products. When checking, make sure that the information about the manufacturer and the full name of the drug in the registration certificate completely match the information indicated on the package. It often happens that a similar name is indicated on the package, but some words are missing or there are superfluous or misspelled ones – this is a sure sign that you are dealing with a fake.
There are two ways to check the registration certificate number: on the official website of Roszdravnadzor and in the Telegram bot "Medinspektor" @med_inspector_bot.
This bot was developed by the Association of Importers of Cosmetology, Cosmetics and Medical Products in cooperation with the Federal State Budgetary Institution "VNIIIMT" of Roszdravnadzor and has a direct link to the registry of medical devices of Roszdravnadzor. The bot is convenient and easy to use and provides access not only to cosmetic products, but to the entire registry database, allowing you to check any medical device by registration number, name, and manufacturer. In addition, you can leave a message through the bot about the detection of a substandard or simply questionable product, or about the side effects of the drug and other adverse events.
STOP: if the registration certificate is missing or the information in it does not match the information indicated on the package or in the instructions.
There are two ways to check the registration certificate number: on the official website of Roszdravnadzor and in the Telegram bot "Medinspektor" @med_inspector_bot.
This bot was developed by the Association of Importers of Cosmetology, Cosmetics and Medical Products in cooperation with the Federal State Budgetary Institution "VNIIIMT" of Roszdravnadzor and has a direct link to the registry of medical devices of Roszdravnadzor. The bot is convenient and easy to use and provides access not only to cosmetic products, but to the entire registry database, allowing you to check any medical device by registration number, name, and manufacturer. In addition, you can leave a message through the bot about the detection of a substandard or simply questionable product, or about the side effects of the drug and other adverse events.
STOP: if the registration certificate is missing or the information in it does not match the information indicated on the package or in the instructions.
3. We look at the appearance
We evaluate the quality of the packaging, which must be made of high-quality materials and be dense, without defects, creases, scuffs and stickers that make it difficult to read the text. Any errors in the text, indistinct font, blurred letters are a reason to be wary. High—quality packaging of a high-risk medical product is an indicator of the manufacturer's seriousness. In addition, manufacturers often use protective elements.:holograms, special seals, protective stickers. Make sure they are available and intact.
STOP: if at least one of the described signs is identified or there are doubts in general.
STOP: if at least one of the described signs is identified or there are doubts in general.
4. Check the contents
Please note that it is not only the appearance of the packaging that should be ideal. The contents must comply with the composition stated in the registration certificate and on the package, including the instructions for use.
STOP: if there are no instructions or other stated item in the package.
STOP: if there are no instructions or other stated item in the package.
5. TL;DR
High-quality packaging must contain high-quality information. All information on the package must be clear, legible and in Russian and/or displayed in symbols. The name of the medical device must be on the package, ideally the composition of the delivery, the composition of the product, concentration, volume. It also indicates the name and full address of the manufacturer, operating and storage conditions, indications for use, as well as the batch number, expiration date and registration certificate number.
The most commonly used manipulation marks:
The most commonly used manipulation marks:
- Manufacturer
- Lot number (batch number)
- Use up to
- Do not sterilize again
- Ethylene oxide sterilization (for needles)
- Do not reuse
- Do not use if the packaging is damaged
- Attention, see the Instructions for use
- Storage conditions
- Fragile, handle with care
- Keep away from moisture
- Avoid exposure to sunlight. Keep away from heat sources
- Date of manufacture
The most commonly used marks
STOP: in the absence of mandatory information.
6. Information about the manufacturer
Separately, it is worth noting how important it is that the packaging and documentation contain complete information about the manufacturer: name, address, contact information, website. A reliable company always has an official website with a detailed description of products and production. Also, the packaging must contain the address and contact information of the authorized representative of the manufacturer in the Russian Federation for foreign manufacturers and contact information for consumer requests for domestic ones.
STOP: if it is not clear where the manufacturer is located and where to contact for more information.
STOP: if it is not clear where the manufacturer is located and where to contact for more information.
7. Autopsy in the presence of the patient
This is a critical stage. Before the procedure, the doctor must open the package of the drug in your presence. All components must be hermetically packed, ampoules and syringes are complete. The color and consistency must match the description of the product in the instructions, which are always in the package as part of the product.
STOP: the slightest doubt caused by the appearance of the product.
STOP: the slightest doubt caused by the appearance of the product.
8. Price as an indicator of quality
The production of high—quality medical products, the process of preparing for state registration in order to obtain a registration certificate, which includes three types of tests, inspection of production and additional revision of documents is an expensive process. Therefore, the low price of the product should alert you. Most likely, it is caused by the use of low-quality unsafe components, violation of production technology and lack of permits confirming the safety and quality of products. Compare prices for similar drugs in different clinics.
STOP: if the sentence seems to you "too good to be true."
STOP: if the sentence seems to you "too good to be true."
9. Comparison with the original
If you have such an opportunity (for example, you have already used this drug and kept the old packaging) or you have seen photos of the original product in reliable sources, compare the packaging, fonts, logos, and the location of the elements.
STOP: with any visible differences.
STOP: with any visible differences.
What should I do if I suspect a fake?
- Do not agree to the procedure.
- Report your suspicions to Roszdravnadzor. The hotline number +7 800 550 99 03 .
- The Medinspektor chatbot has a convenient "Compose an appeal" function, so you can help prevent harm to other people.
- Share the information with your friends and acquaintances, warning them about the danger.
Remember that counterfeit medical products are not only a deception, but also a real threat to your life and health. Vigilance, knowledge, and a responsible approach to choosing clinics and medications are your main allies on the path to safe beauty.