The State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL) in the Czech Republic has warned against selling illegal drugs containing harmful substances. The warning comes after a recent discovery of 89 illegally traded drugs in Prague. The drugs were promoted as treatments for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol but were found to contain different substances, including vitamins and fiber.
The SÚKL warns that purchasing drugs outside pharmacies is a health risk, as there is no guarantee that the drugs purchased are safe and contain what they claim to contain. The institute is particularly concerned about purchases made at markets or online, which can promise “guaranteed cures” at discount prices.
The institute also warns against the promulgation of fake advertisements that misuse the names of famous individuals, such as cardiothoracic surgeon Jan Pirk. Pirk has received complaints from people who have received advertisements promising a “miracle cure” for calcium buildup in the veins, using Pirk’s name. The advertisements contain false information, and Pirk has stated that he has no expertise in medicine that the advertisements claim to address.
The SÚKL has already issued ten fines this year totaling CZK 138,000 ($6,300), and in 25 cases last year, penalties totaling CZK 500,000 ($22,900) were imposed for illegal drug handling. The institute urges people to report suspicious drug sales on its website and warns that prescription drugs cannot be legally sold online.
The SÚKL emphasizes that all patients should consult their doctors about health concerns and avoid purchasing drugs from unverified sources. The institute also stresses the importance of being aware of the substances in medicines and the risks associated with taking them.