'Fake' Panadol being sold at a few groceries, say distributors

"Within a week, we will be able to ascertain whether the product sold in these outlets is counterfeit or not," Dr Immad Shakir, Executive Manager of Al Baker, the local distributors of Panadol, told Khaleej Times.

He said: "About three or four small groceries and not supermarkets have stocks of the pain-killer which are suspected to be fakes. Theses outlets have been selling the pain-killer at reduced prices."

Stating that samples of the medicines were sent to GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) for laboratory tests and analysis, he said they had not arrived at any conclusion as regards the origin and validity of the medicines.

"We can't comment on the origin of the product unless we get the feedback from the main manufacturer. Based on their reply, which is expected within a week, we will confirm whether the product was counterfeit or not," said Dr Shakir.

Giving the reasons which led to their getting suspicious about the product, Dr Shakir said the outlets were not purchasing the product from the local distributor, besides selling the product at cheaper rates.

"We sell the pain-killer for outlets in specific quotas. We keep records of the supermarkets and groceries which buy our product," he said.

"We reported our suspicion to the Drug Control Department (DCD) and alerted them to undertake necessary measures," said Dr Shakir.

He ruled out the possibility of the manufacturer selling the product to a wholesaler other than 'Al Baker,' noting that they were the exclusive distributor for the drug in the country.

According to Dr Issa bin Jakkha Al Mansouri, DCD Director, laboratory tests and further investigations, in cooperation with authorities concerned in the country, were required to decide on the case.

Each Panadol tablet contains the active ingredient Paracetamol Ph Eur 500mg.