Muscat – Through its Drug Safety Centre, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at combating counterfeit and substandard medical products, reinforcing efforts to protect public health and encourage consumers to verify the authenticity of medicines and medical devices before use.

The campaign seeks to educate the public about the dangers posed by fake and poor-quality medical products, which may appear genuine but can fail to meet safety, quality or effectiveness standards. Such products may contain incorrect ingredients, improper dosages or misleading packaging, potentially putting patients at serious risk.

Carrying the message ‘Be aware, verify before use and report any suspicious product’, the initiative urges individuals to remain vigilant when purchasing medicines or medical equipment and to obtain these only from licensed pharmacies and authorised healthcare providers.

According to the ministry, increasing public awareness is a key step in preventing the circulation of counterfeit products and reducing the  impact of these on patient safety. The campaign also highlights the importance of checking packaging, expiry dates and product information, while encouraging consumers to seek professional medical advice whenever they have doubts about a product’s authenticity.

The accompanying campaign visuals emphasise that a counterfeit medical product may look safe but could pose hidden health risks. By educating the public on how to identify suspicious products and the proper channels for reporting these, MoH aims to strengthen community participation in safeguarding the healthcare system.

The awareness drive is part of the Drug Safety Centre’s broader commitment to ensuring that medicines and medical devices available in Oman meet recognised quality standards and are safe for public use. It also supports ongoing regulatory efforts to monitor the pharmaceutical supply chain and prevent the entry or distribution of counterfeit products.

Health officials have encouraged members of the public and healthcare professionals alike to report suspected counterfeit or substandard products promptly, helping authorities investigate cases and take appropriate action.

Through this campaign, the ministry hopes to foster a culture of informed and responsible medicine use while protecting patients from avoidable health risks associated with fake medical products.