2007-01-21 10:33:20 · 6 answers · asked by bird 67 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
most fake tablets you can tell by putting the tablet on a flat table and push down hard on it with your thumb. If it crumbles, it's fake. If it doesn't it might still be fake. Drug companies use huge compacted molds capable of squeezing the contents of a tablet together under tons of pressure and the binders make sure it holds that shape. Most knock offs, they just use a hand press and mold which makes them easier to break apart.
2007-01-22 19:56:10 · answer #1 · answered by bigdogg76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your referring to a more than common occurence in 3rd world countries where there is commonplace forgeries of pills that are merely placeboes, and claim to be authentic....
Mid IR infared spectroscopy is a common quick identity method of pills that can show whether a pill is as it claims, Comparison of absorbance at specified wavelengths.
Chinese Government had to set up a swat team that would go undercover to pharmacies to fill prescriptions, and they could identify within 30 seconds with a mobile lab, and make arrests.
2007-01-21 14:47:14 · answer #2 · answered by Stonerscientist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would need a chemical analysis, as there are some diehard counterfeiters out there who use the exact same pill press as originals. But if they are bad counterfeiters, they may use something that doesn't look like the real drug. A pharmacist or poison control should be able to tell you the appearance your drug should have.
2007-01-21 13:24:51 · answer #3 · answered by sarcastro1976 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quacks (makers and sellers of fake medicine) will often make claims that are too good to be true.
2007-01-21 10:40:53 · answer #4 · answered by icysapphire64 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The site I am linking to is for science in general, and it certainly applies to medicine.
http://www.chem1.com/acad/sci/pseudosci.html
2007-01-21 10:58:01 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. Jon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they taste good
2007-01-21 11:08:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋