We, humans, don’t see the products actually. We notice the packaging and create an image in our mind linked to that product. When we think about that specific product or go to buy that product, the image flashes in the mind. We compare the product with that image, and we buy it. But medicine is not just a product; it is related to the health and life of someone. So it’s better to check the name of the drug content, which is known as the generic name of the medicine. Brand name doesn’t reveal the product’s nature. Sometimes a similar kind of packaging and brand names may contain totally different drugs.
I will share with you two stories.
Story number one is about a pregnant lady. A pregnant lady went to the PHC for a regular check-up. After her check-up was completed, some strips of folic acid and iron tablets were given. She advised continuing the medicines up to the next visit. When she visited the PHC again, somehow they found out that the tablets she had taken for a month didn’t contain iron and folic acid. Those strips contained antihypertensive drugs, which had the same kind of packaging.
Moral of the story: Any two medicinal products with similar packaging don’t always contain the same medicine.
Story number two is about my father, who went to a pharmacy to buy some enzyme tablets. He asked for a specific brand he used to take, but that wasn’t available at that time. So the shopkeeper suggested a medicine with a brand name that with some “zyme” and said, “It is now best in the market”. My father bought that medicine and came back. When I checked the label, there was no enzyme present at all. That product contains a totally different kind of drug.
Moral of the story: Brand names don’t represent the nature of drugs.
So be aware. Before taking any medicine, check the label for drug content. Share your experience
Absolutely true. I totally agree with you. As a pharmacist, I have to say it’s their responsibility too. But if we cross-verify, that can change the scenario a little. Because ultimately, the patient will suffer. So it’s better for us to take our safety into our own hands if possible. There is an exceptional scenario also for those who can’t read or write. But those who can, they can save themselves.
Very important reminder—brand names and packaging can be misleading.
Always check the generic name before taking any medicine to avoid errors.
Awareness like this can truly prevent serious harm.
The reality is, it may happen, because the possibility of confusion from similar packaging and brand names underscores the need for careful verification before dispensing or prescribing medications. The appearance of the brand becomes less important than the formulation, strength and active ingredients, of interest to health professionals in the interests of patient safety.
Totally agree! I had a similar experience with my family members too. Checking labels, drugs, combination of drugs especially dates both expiry and manufacturing, this should become a mandatory check before buying any kind of pharmaceutical products.
Product labels provide essential information for safe and informed use. Reading them carefully helps consumers make healthier and more confident decisions.
This feels so similar to my experience. I almost made a similar mistake with my grandfather’s meds because two totally different boxes had the exact same color scheme, I was so used to picking them up by visual habit that I didn’t read the text. It was huge wake-up call now I always read the actual generic name out loud, no matter how familiar the package looks.
Yeah you are right and it is very important to check the whole content of the medicine its expiry, its manufacturing. Whenever I go to a pharmacy shop firstly i check expiry its content to ensure that it is safe for me
Yes mam very true. One incidence occurred with my mother. Pharmacist gave different drug with same sound drug. And during billing i guess he realised that it is different medication so he told reason that Expiry od that medication is so early i will bring other one it will come by tomorrow. We saw that medicine it was totally different. So according to me you should check medicine with doctor also after buying from medical shop
Yes, absolutely. Everyone is human; they might miss something. So it’s better to recheck. In India, most of the shops didn’t have a pharmacist; he realised his fault because of his knowledge. But the layman shopkeeper does not even know that they are wrong.
Very informative post! This reminded me of a personal experience. A few years ago, I was prescribed Stop Vomit, but the pharmacy accidentally gave me Stopovit because the names and packaging looked very similar. I noticed the mistake only after reaching home. It highlights how similar-sounding drug names can lead to medication errors and why both pharmacists and patients should carefully verify medicines before use.