The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported that half of the counterfeit pills seized in 2024 contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl, according to recent laboratory analysis. This finding highlights the ongoing risk posed by counterfeit medications obtained outside of trusted sources.
Tyler Thao, a pharmacy resident at Aspirus, is participating in the national One Pill Can Kill campaign to raise awareness about these dangers. “‘One pill can kill’ is a phrase that reminds people that any medication taken without the direct supervision of a health care professional can lead to serious harm,” said Thao. “The campaign was created to bring attention to counterfeit pills that often contain dangerous substances like fentanyl.”
Counterfeit pills are often made to look like legitimate prescription drugs such as oxycodone (OxyContin), alprazolam (Xanax), or amphetamine salts (Adderall), but may instead contain harmful or lethal substances.
Thao stressed the importance of recognizing the risks associated with counterfeit medications and knowing how to respond if someone appears unresponsive after taking an unknown pill. In such cases, he advised calling 911 immediately.
He also recommended that individuals who use prescription pain medications, or those caring for them, keep naloxone (Narcan) accessible. Naloxone is available over the counter at most pharmacies and can reverse opioid overdoses.
“It is always best practice to have someone nearby who knows how to use naloxone,” Thao said. “Medications should only be used as prescribed and approved by a qualified health care professional.”
Aspirus encourages anyone with questions about medication safety or naloxone usage to speak with their health care provider or pharmacist.
