Counterfeit Medicine Knowledge and Practices among Dental and Pharmacy Faculty – A South Indian Questionnaire Study

Introduction: A counterfeit medicine is one that has been illegally and purposefully mislabeled, according to the world health organization. Drug counterfeiting is a global issue that affects practically all industrialized and developing nations. This is a significant issue in India that leads to both life-threatening conditions and financial losses for the healthcare system. Methodology: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire-based study was conducted among dental college and pharmacy college faculty in South India. The participants were included who were present on the day of the study. The questionnaire focused on knowledge, attitudes, and the impact that the use of fake medications has had on the healthcare system. Results: In the present study majority participants, i.e., 46.2% and 44.4% of the population (dental and pharmacy faculty respectively), were professors; among those, 53.8% and 53.4%, respectively, were female. The media was the primary source of knowledge for survey participants from the dental and pharmacy faculties on counterfeit medicine, accounting for 28.8% and 33.4% of the total. Education came in second, accounting for 21.2% and 26.6% of the information. Conclusions: Drug counterfeiting endangers public health and depletes consumer budgets. The use of contemporary technology methods, along with the right information and awareness, can assist reduce the use of fake medications.