How to spot fake Panadol: M’sia the only country with fake ones (so far)

Headache? Panadol. Period pain? Panadol. Heartbreak? Panadol.

Basically Panadol is the Malaysian go-to for nearly everything.

So when a pharmacist shared about fake Panadols on his Facebook page, it went VIRAL!

Basically, @ph.zeff outlines 4 things you can look out for when spotting a fake:

1. The texture of the product
2. The drug registration number (MAL number)
3. The material of drug packaging
4. The cutting craft of the pill.

Ph.zeff meticulously made a graphic comparison for each tiny difference between the original and fake Panadol.

We have taken the liberty of translating his diagrams into English…

In the counterfeit Panadol, the company name is misspelt as ClaxoSmithKlein instead of GlaxoSmithKlein.

Even without taking the pills out of the package, it can be seen that the pills look quite deformed.

When Business Insider spoke to the large pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), it’s spokesman Dr. Colin G. D’Silva explains that counterfeit products seem to become more prevalent in recent years.

“The counterfeit Panadol seems to be limited to Malaysia.”

Dr. D’Silva to Business Insider

GSK’s concern over these fake Panadol is that they may be dangerous to be consumed.

Hence, if you do suspect that you posses the imitated Panadol, please stop using them.

Instead, you may contact the consumer relations team at 1800 88 3225 if you have any concerns about their products.

GSK also reports that they will be taking legal action against all parties who are involved in the fake Panadol’s manufacture, distribution, and even retail.