Cuu Long Pharmaceutical advises consumers to carefully check the packaging and origin of products before use. To avoid purchasing counterfeit goods, consumers are urged to buy products from official branches, agents, and distributors of Cuu Long Pharmaceuticals.
On July 26, 2024, the Drug Administration issued notice number 2611/QLD-CL about the appearance of counterfeit Cefixim 200 tablets in the market, based on analysis results from the Thanh Hoa and Binh Duong Provincial Testing Centers. The report indicated that the Cefixim 200 film-coated tablet samples did not meet quality standards for the qualitative determination of cefixime according to TCCS at three locations: Hung Thinh Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (address: 207 Hung Long small quarter, Nga Son town, Nga Son district, Thanh Hoa province); Pharmacist Van’s Drugstore (address: No. 464, Street 1, Ngoc Lac town, Ngoc Lac district, Thanh Hoa province) and Thanh Duy Western Medicine Counter (address: 174, group 4, Lai Khe, Lai Hung district, Binh Duong province).
The specific details of the three samples are as follows:
| Testing Center | Drug Name, Active Ingredient, Registration Number | Batch Number, Manufacturing Date, Expiry Date | Sampling Location | Address | Analysis Results |
| Thanh Hoa Provincial Testing Center | CEFIXIM 200
Cefixime (as cefixime trihydrate 200mg)
VD-28887-18 |
15030723
MFG: 030723 EXP: 030725 |
Hung Thinh Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company | 207 Hung Long sub-area, Nga Son town, Nga Son district, Thanh Hoa province | The drug sample does not meet the quality requirements for the qualitative cefixime index according to TCCS; |
| Thanh Hoa Provincial Testing Center | 04200623
MFG: 200623
EXP: 200625 |
Pharmacist Van’s Pharmacy | House No. 464, Street 1, Ngoc Lac Town, Ngoc Lac District, Thanh Hoa Province | The drug sample does not meet the quality requirements for the qualitative cefixime index according to TCCS; | |
| Binh Duong Provincial Testing Center | 28201123
MFG: 201123
EXP: 201125 |
Thanh Duy Pharmacy | 174, Group 4, Lai Khe, Lai Hung, Bau Bang District, Binh Duong Province | The drug sample does not meet the quality requirements for the qualitative cefixime index according to TCCS; |
Upon receiving the notification from the regulatory authority, Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (“Cuu Long Pharmaceutical”) swiftly reviewed and compared the counterfeit samples with the genuine products manufactured by Cuu Long Pharmaceutical. It confirmed that the drug samples collected at the three locations were counterfeit and not produced by Cuu Long Pharmaceutical. Furthermore, Cuu Long Pharmaceutical sent an official letter numbered 284/DCL dated July 23, 2024, to the Drug Administration, reporting on the production of the Cefixim 200 batches and the distinguishing features between the drug samples stored at the company and those collected by the Thanh Hoa and Binh Duong Provincial Testing Centers from the market.
The distinguishing characteristics between the counterfeit drug labels and those produced by Cuu Long Pharmaceutical are:
| No | RECOGNITION FEATURES | SAMPLE PRODUCED BY CUU LONG PHARMACEUTICALS | FAKE SAMPLE |
| 1 | Details printed on the box | AUTH box
There is a space after the text “q.s.f”. |
FAKE box
There is no space after the text “q.s.f” |
| 2 | Box color | AUTH box is lighter in color than FAKE sample | |
| AUTH | FAKE | ||
| 3 | Pill color | AUTH pills are uniform in color, with edges and surfaces smooth and unchipped. | AUTH pills have many chips on the edges, a thin coating, colors of the pills in the same blister pack are not uniform, and there are speckled spots. |
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical has reported the incident to the competent authorities, highlighting the severity of the situation while urging these bodies to trace the origin of the counterfeit products. Additionally, the company has reviewed its entire production process, including inventory management and distribution of products manufactured by Cuu Long Pharmaceutical. The leadership team of Cuu Long Pharmaceutical asserts that the company’s products, supplied through its distribution network including branches, agents, and official distributors, consistently meet the quality standards committed to, are safe, and effectively treat diseases as per the approved registration dossier. Cuu Long Pharmaceutical is currently working closely and supporting the authorities to resolve the incident and will continually update information to users via its media channels and website.
On this issue, Mr. Nguyen Trong Duc – Deputy General Director of Cuu Long Pharmaceutical shared, “In the face of any signs of counterfeiting or imitation, we always express a firm and uncompromising stance and action with the aim to eliminate these wrongful acts. We consistently protect consumer rights and hope for the support from specialized state management bodies and the police to investigate and prosecute those responsible.”
From this incident, Cuu Long Pharmaceutical advises consumers to thoroughly check the packaging and origin of the product before use. To avoid buying counterfeit products, consumers should pay attention to purchasing from the company’s branches, agents, and official distributors. If any unusual signs are detected, consumers should contact the distributor or the authorities to report them timely, helping to prevent illegal activities.
In the face of any signs of counterfeiting or imitation, Cuu Long Pharmaceutical always expresses a firm stance and action without compromise to remove these condemnable acts from the market, ensuring the highest interests of the consumers. We are ready to cooperate with the authorities to clarify the issue, while committing that all products manufactured and in circulation under the brand of Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company always meet quality standards.
What is Cefixim 200mg?
Cefixim 200mg is a third-generation Cephalosporin antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, manufactured by Cuu Long Pharmaceutical. (For more details, visit: https://dcl.com.vn/duoc-pham/nhom-khang-sinh).
The drug is used to treat conditions such as middle ear infections, tonsillitis and pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, and certain cases of kidney – renal pelvis inflammation and urinary tract infections. Cefixim 200 is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cefixim or other cephalosporin antibiotics, those with a history of anaphylactic shock due to penicillin, or allergies to other components of the drug. Cefixim 200 is prescribed for disease treatment and should only be used according to a doctor’s prescription.
On August 19, 2023, the Cefixim 200 brand by Cuu Long Pharmaceutical was honored in the Top 10 quality products of 2023. This award was organized and voted by the Consumer Protection Center and the Institute of Economics & Culture. This is not the first time Cefixim 200 from DCL has been recognized as a quality product, advocating for consumer benefits over many years. The Cefixim 200 brand is one of the products that contribute to DCL’s pride. Produced under strict control processes and advanced technology, it has become a reputable brand widely trusted by major hospitals and patients across the country.
Cuu Long Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company
Founded in 1976, Cuu Long Pharmaceutical is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies, headquartered in Vinh Long. DCL is a manufacturer and supplier of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, holding a significant market share in Vietnam with a distribution system that spans all 63 provinces of Vietnam and continues to expand. With over 48 years of investment and development, and more than 135 registrations approved, the pharmaceutical products produced by DCL have gained trust in the market for their quality and reasonable prices, fulfilling the company’s mission: Connecting and improving community life through optimal health solutions.
