Latest news with #Amoxicillin
Metro
13 hours ago
- Health
- Metro
You're most likely to be scammed buying these medicines online
There are times you just want to head to the self service check-outs to avoid looking anyone in the eye; buying certain products and medications can be embarrassing or make you feel vulnerable. Scammers know this, and they're cashing in on our desire to discreetly get pills for sensitive conditions by creating a vast number of unscrupulous, fake websites, where you're at risk of losing your cash – or worse. An investigation by cybersecurity software Avast found a vast network of over 5,000 fraudulent online pharmacies, claiming to sell legitimate medications without the need for prescriptions or an in person consultation. You might receive something in the post after paying, but it probably won't be what you thought you were buying. It could even be toxic, with mislabelled substances like pesticides or animal tranquillizers potentially arriving instead. There are certain medications more likely to be used as bait by scammers, which tend to be things people are embarrassed to buy, are expensive, hard to find or access, or that they want to get hold of quickly. Avast said that customers looking for these types of drugs are particularly vulnerable to fraud: Erectile dysfunction treatments such as Viagra Hormone therapy Sexual health treatments Essential antibiotics such as Amoxicillin 'Trendy and costly' drugs people want for weight loss, including Rybelsus and Ozempic Fertility drugs including Clomid Antivirals falsely marketed during flu seasons and global health crises In a threat report, Avast warned that meds bought at fake pharmacies 'bypass every safeguard' built into legitimate businesses. The medicines sold on these platforms might contain no active ingredientsat all, or may have dangerously high amounts. They could be real medicines, but out of date stock which has been repackaged. In the worst cases, they have even killed: in 2024, at least nine people died in the US after taking fentanyl-laced painkillers bought online. A single, highly organised cybercriminal group was found to be running thousands of online pharmacies which appeared to be independent. Avast, which is part of the wider Gen company, revealed their findings in their latest Threat Report, saying this could be 'one of the largest online drug scams ever uncovered'. They said they had already thwarted more than a million attacks from these sites targeting its customers globally. In the UK alone, Avast has blocked tens of thousands of attacks related to these scam sites so far this year. The sites make their money by selling substandard product, as well as by collecting the data of customers, exposing them to identity theft as well as further financial fraud. Online shoppers are advised to watch out for these red flags when buying medication online: Demands for crypto or bank transfers No prescription required 'Too good to be true' prices No contact details or physical address Unclickable trust logos or fake reviews Pressure tactics: 'Limited time offer!' The scammers mimic real businesses, so the websites may appear convincing. They use tactics such as: Hijacking legitimate health websites Manipulating search engines to push their sites to the top Using AI to generate 'health blogs', fake 5-star reviews and customer support Creating polished, professional-looking websites, complete with customer chat and glossy product pages Ultimately, you're better off going to your doctor and getting a prescription to be sure – even if it's embarrassing. Laura Wilson, Director at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, warned: 'Websites that offer prescription only medicines without a prescription are acting illegally. More Trending 'Only use online pharmacies that are registered with the pharmacy regulator, The General Pharmaceutical Council. 'Always check an online pharmacy has a verified UK address, contact number and the official registered pharmacy logo which links to the regulator's website.' Siggi Stefnisson, Cyber Safety CTO at Gen, said: 'PharmaFraud is a perfect example of how cybercriminals think – they want to prey on people who are vulnerable or feeling desperate, and people looking for medications online are exactly that. 'From AI-powered ransomware to fake online pharmacies, the risks are real and harder to spot. That's why awareness and vigilance are critical.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. View More » MORE: Drug dealer who killed great-granddad while doing a wheelie on his e-bike jailed MORE: 'Mafia-style gangs are long gone – new organised crime groups threaten national security' MORE: Man admits murdering Leanne Williams found dead at her home in Swansea
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ration, medicines to last 3 monsoon months supplied to 112 remote villages in Gadchiroli
Nagpur: In a proactive measure to ensure food security and healthcare for communities living in remote hamlets, the Gadchiroli district administration equipped 112 villages, which are cut-off during monsoon, with ration and a three-month stock of critical medicines under the Navsanjivani scheme. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative is targeting 154 villages that are affected by floods, with supplies reaching 151 shops, with an aim that no household goes without basic grains during the rainy season. While the district supply department dispatched rations to these villages, the health department distributed vital medicines to primary health centres (PHCs), sub-centres, and ASHA and Anganwadi workers in Navsanjivani villages, said an official, adding that collector Avishyant Panda has reviewed the flood preparedness. The essential medicines include ORS, antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Doxycycline), antimalarials (ACT, Primaquine), anti-snake venom, and hypertension and diabetes medications (Amlodipine, Metformin). In areas lacking ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers are managing the distribution. To tackle emergencies, 299 'apatti mitra' or disaster friends and a 38-member rescue team stationed at district headquarters are on standby. Foldable stretchers have been distributed across talukas to evacuate seriously-ill patients and pregnant women from inaccessible areas. The Navsanjivani programme, with 43 appointed medical officers and 39 rapid-response vehicles, bolsters the flood relief efforts, while 13 vehicles under the PM Janman programme strengthen operations in remote areas, informed district information officer Gajanan Jadhav. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Post-flood measures include health check-ups for all villagers, drinking water testing, and Malathion dusting to prevent outbreak of disease. Local-language literature is also being distributed to raise awareness about precautions to be taken during floods. Additionally, two Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) and seven Child Treatment Centres (CTCs) are prioritising admission of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) children, ensuring vulnerable groups receive timely care. "Our goal is to ensure no village is left without food or medicine, even when cut off by floods," said a district official. 2 Buses Stranded in Floods on Gadchiroli-Nagpur Route Rescued Safely Nagpur: Heavy rainfall caused two buses to get stranded in floodwaters at separate locations on Gadchiroli-Nagpur highway on Tuesday. The buses stalled after their engines failed due to water ingress. The district administration promptly deployed JCBs and disaster management teams, successfully rescuing both vehicles with all passengers safe. A private bus carrying around 50 passengers was stuck in deep water near Thanegaon on the Gadchiroli-Armori road. Upon receiving an alert, the administration dispatched JCBs and a heavy-duty vehicle, enabling the disaster management team to extract the bus. Similarly, a state transport bus with 23 passengers stalled near the Gadhavi River bridge on the Gadchiroli-Nagpur National Highway due to engine failure. The administration swiftly sent a JCB to tow the bus to safety. No injuries were reported in either incident. The district administration arranged temporary shelter and meals for the passengers through local gram panchayats. District collector Avishyant Panda directed police to install barricades on all roads with water flow to prevent vehicles from crossing flooded areas. Nagpur-Gadchiroli Road Cut Off as Floods Submerge 19 Key Routes Nagpur: Heavy rainfall severed connectivity between Nagpur and Gadchiroli via Armori, with the Pal River bridge near Gogaon submerged, halting all traffic. Incessant rain, 168mm in Desaiganj and 145.6mm in Korchi in the last 24 hours, flooded 19 critical roads, including Gadchiroli-Armori, Desaiganj-Arjuni, and Kurkheda-Malewada, stranding commuters. Overflowing rivers and drains, coupled with Gosekhurd dam's release of 8,000 cumecs (set to rise to 12,500 cumecs), worsened the crisis. The Disaster Management Department urged riverside villagers to remain vigilant as flooding disrupted life across the district, with no immediate relief in sight.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ibuprofen ‘fails' quality test after 75k doses used in govt hosp
Bareilly: A batch of Ibuprofen tablets -- used for pain relief -- distributed to govt hospitals in Moradabad has "failed quality testing", prompting authorities to recall the remaining stock, health officials said Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The sample, collected from the district hospital by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) on May 20, was sent to a laboratory in Lucknow after concerns were raised about its quality. By the time results arrived on Friday, more than 75,000 tablets had already been administered to patients. According to the laboratory report, the drug "failed to provide any pain relief, although it posed no other health risk". Urmila Verma, drug inspector (FSDA), said, "During the inspection, the colour and appearance of the sample raised suspicion about its quality. The test confirmed that the tablet would not alleviate pain. We have recommended a complete recall of the remaining stock." The FSDA has alerted authorities in Lucknow about the results, and an inquiry and investigation into the manufacturer are expected, officials said. Each day, the district hospital uses roughly 2,500 tablets of the painkiller, which is also distributed across eight community health centres and 26 urban primary health centres. Sandeep Badola, chief pharmacist at the district hospital, said the sample had been collected and sent for testing, but the hospital was yet to receive official results. "All medications delivered to district warehouses are tested by the Uttar Pradesh Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (UPMSCL) before being dispatched to hospitals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Upon arrival, the stock is quarantined for a month until test results are received," he said. Similar incidents have happened in the past. In Oct 2022, a batch of Amoxicillin injections used to treat bacterial infections failed testing, prompting the recall of one lakh vials from district warehouses. The supply had been sourced from ANG Life Science India Limited. In a separate case, the UPMSCL also recalled all Clobazam tablets (batch no. CLO-2101) from 49 districts across the state.
Euronews
12-03-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Which critical medicines are in short supply in the European Union?
The drug shortages are the result of manufacturing problems, increased demand, and other issues. ADVERTISEMENT The European Union is in short supply of 16 medicines that are considered 'critical' for people's health. A drug can be put on the EU's shortages list because of production issues, a surge in demand, or a drugmaker deciding to pull it off the market – anything that limits the bloc's supply on either a temporary or permanent basis. There are ongoing shortages of 34 medicines, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Sixteen of those are on the EU's list of essential drugs that the European Commission aims to bolster through its new Critical Medicines Act. Here are the critical medicines in short supply in the EU, according to the latest available information from the EMA and member states. Cyanide poisoning antidote Cyanokit is the only EU-approved medicine to treat cyanide poisoning. It contains the active ingredient hydroxocobalamin or vitamin B12a, which is on the EU's critical medicines list. In December 2024, health authorities said Cyanokit manufacturing was being suspended after the drugmaker discovered that some batches may have been contaminated. However, because the risk of contamination is low and there is no alternative antidote, they are still in circulation, according to the EMA. The shortage is expected to be resolved by May 2025. Amoxicillin Amoxicillin is an antibiotic for bacterial infections. Shortages began in October 2022 after an uptick in respiratory illnesses led to higher demand for antibiotics. Related Big pharma urges Commission to slow down on new critical medicines rules Manufacturers also lacked enough staff to make the medicine, the EMA said. These issues have since eased in most countries, but some intermittent supply problems persist across Europe. Some inhalers People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other breathing issues take salbutamol, typically using an inhaler or a nebuliser. Manufacturers are struggling to meet the growing demand for inhalers, leading to intermittent shortages of salbutamol across most of the EU. Alternatives are available, but the scarcity is expected to last until at least mid-2025. A few types of insulin Patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes take insulin to control their blood sugar. Manufacturing problems for certain types of insulin – Insuman Rapid, Basal and Comb 25 – in early 2023, caused delays across the supply chain. The drugmaker also decided to stop producing these types of insulin, prompting the EMA to urge doctors to transition their patients to other brands. Seven cancer drugs The EU does not have enough of seven drugs used to treat various types of cancers, including hycamtin, methotrexate, fludarabine, fluorouracil, cisplatin, fasturtec, and paclitaxel. The shortages are mainly due to manufacturing problems, though unexpected demand for methotrexate injections – which can also help treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease – has exacerbated their scarcity in some European countries. Shortages are beginning to be resolved for several of these medications, and in the meantime, alternative options are available for some of them. ADVERTISEMENT Vaccine for mosquito-borne virus Ixiaro is a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis, which is related to the dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses and causes brain inflammation. Increased demand and manufacturing problems caused a shortage of the vaccine, though supply levels have since improved. The EMA expected the shortage, which has affected Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, to be resolved by late January, but Irish authorities now say it should be back in stock there by the end of April 2025. Blood disease medicine Peginterferon alfa-2a, sold as Pegasys, is used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C as well as other blood diseases. Unexpectedly high demand for the medicine has led to shortages that the EMA said should be resolved later in 2025. ADVERTISEMENT Schizophrenia treatment Zypadhera, also known as olanzapine, helps treat schizophrenia. Patients who have taken the drug by mouth can then start taking it via injection – but the needles are in short supply due to manufacturing issues, leading to intermittent shortages of Zypadhera in some European countries. Limited quantities are now available in places like Belgium. Heart attack prevention drug Integrilin can help prevent heart attacks for adults with severe chest pain and those who have already had a certain type of heart attack. Supply issues with the active ingredient, eptifibatide, prompted drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline to stop manufacturing the medicine and pull it off the EU market. However, alternatives are available. ADVERTISEMENT Eye problems medicine Verteporfin, sold as Visudyne, is a treatment for people with certain eye problems, for example a type of age-related macular degeneration. Manufacturing has been limited since May 2020, leaving the medicine in short supply, though other treatments are available. Limited quantities are now available in places like Austria, with a restock there expected by the end of 2025.
Euronews
11-03-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Which critical medicines are in short supply in the EU?
The drug shortages are the result of manufacturing problems, increased demand, and other issues. ADVERTISEMENT The European Union is in short supply of 16 medicines that are considered 'critical' for people's health. A drug can be put on the EU's shortages list because of production issues, a surge in demand, or a drugmaker deciding to pull it off the market – anything that limits the bloc's supply on either a temporary or permanent basis. There are ongoing shortages of 34 medicines, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Sixteen of those are on the EU's list of essential drugs that the European Commission aims to bolster through its new Critical Medicines Act. Here are the critical medicines in short supply in the EU, according to the latest available information from the EMA and member states. Cyanide poisoning antidote Cyanokit is the only EU-approved medicine to treat cyanide poisoning. It contains the active ingredient hydroxocobalamin or vitamin B12a, which is on the EU's critical medicines list. In December 2024, health authorities said Cyanokit manufacturing was being suspended after the drugmaker discovered that some batches may have been contaminated. However, because the risk of contamination is low and there is no alternative antidote, they are still in circulation, according to the EMA. The shortage is expected to be resolved by May 2025. Amoxicillin Amoxicillin is an antibiotic for bacterial infections. Shortages began in October 2022 after an uptick in respiratory illnesses led to higher demand for antibiotics. Related Big pharma urges Commission to slow down on new critical medicines rules Manufacturers also lacked enough staff to make the medicine, the EMA said. These issues have since eased in most countries, but some intermittent supply problems persist across Europe. Some inhalers People with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other breathing issues take salbutamol, typically using an inhaler or a nebuliser. Manufacturers are struggling to meet the growing demand for inhalers, leading to intermittent shortages of salbutamol across most of the EU. Alternatives are available, but the scarcity is expected to last until at least mid-2025. A few types of insulin Patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes take insulin to control their blood sugar. Manufacturing problems for certain types of insulin – Insuman Rapid, Basal and Comb 25 – in early 2023, caused delays across the supply chain. The drugmaker also decided to stop producing these types of insulin, prompting the EMA to urge doctors to transition their patients to other brands. Seven cancer drugs The EU does not have enough of seven drugs used to treat various types of cancers, including hycamtin, methotrexate, fludarabine, fluorouracil, cisplatin, fasturtec, and paclitaxel. The shortages are mainly due to manufacturing problems, though unexpected demand for methotrexate injections – which can also help treat inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn's disease – has exacerbated their scarcity in some European countries. Shortages are beginning to be resolved for several of these medications, and in the meantime, alternative options are available for some of them. ADVERTISEMENT Vaccine for mosquito-borne virus Ixiaro is a vaccine for Japanese encephalitis, which is related to the dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile viruses and causes brain inflammation. Increased demand and manufacturing problems caused a shortage of the vaccine, though supply levels have since improved. The EMA expected the shortage, which has affected Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Spain, to be resolved by late January, but Irish authorities now say it should be back in stock there by the end of April 2025. Blood disease medicine Peginterferon alfa-2a, sold as Pegasys, is used to treat chronic hepatitis B and C as well as other blood diseases. Unexpectedly high demand for the medicine has led to shortages that the EMA said should be resolved later in 2025. ADVERTISEMENT Schizophrenia treatment Zypadhera, also known as olanzapine, helps treat schizophrenia. Patients who have taken the drug by mouth can then start taking it via injection – but the needles are in short supply due to manufacturing issues, leading to intermittent shortages of Zypadhera in some European countries. Limited quantities are now available in places like Belgium. Heart attack prevention drug Integrilin can help prevent heart attacks for adults with severe chest pain and those who have already had a certain type of heart attack. Supply issues with the active ingredient, eptifibatide, prompted drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline to stop manufacturing the medicine and pull it off the EU market. However, alternatives are available. ADVERTISEMENT Eye problems medicine Verteporfin, sold as Visudyne, is a treatment for people with certain eye problems, for example a type of age-related macular degeneration. Manufacturing has been limited since May 2020, leaving the medicine in short supply, though other treatments are available. Limited quantities are now available in places like Austria, with a restock there expected by the end of 2025.
