Authenticity
Falsified products
Last reviewed 14 November 2026
Definitions
What a falsified product is
The World Health Organization and the European Union use these three terms. They were written for medicines. Synedica products are supplied for research use.
- Falsified
- A product that misrepresents its identity, its composition or its source. The pack, the label or the documents claim something that is not true.
- Substandard
- An authorised product from the real manufacturer that fails its quality standards or its specification.
- Unregistered or unlicensed
- A product that the regulator of the market where it is sold or used has not assessed or approved.
Risks of a falsified pack
A falsified pack has no batch record, so nobody can say what it contains or how it was made, filled or stored.
- Content
- The substance in the pack may differ from the label.
- Amount
- The quantity may differ from the stated strength.
- Sterility
- Nothing shows whether it was made and filled under clean conditions.
- Storage
- Nothing shows whether it was kept at the temperature the product needs.
Protection
How genuine packs are protected
Each genuine Synedica pack carries three physical security features and a code that belongs to that one unit.
Check each of these before you open the pack.
- Holographic sealIts image changes as you tilt the pack.
- Tamper sealRuns across the opening and tears when the box is first opened. It should be whole when you receive the pack.
- Scratch-off panelCovers the unit QR code and its 6-character code. It should be intact when you receive the pack.
- Information QR codeInside the box. The same on every pack, it opens the authentication page.
- Batch number and expiry datePrinted on the pack. They should match the verification result.
- Product name and strengthShould match what you ordered and the verification result.
Unit code
The QR code and 6-character code under the scratch-off panel belong to one unit. A check compares the code with our production registry.
Information QR code
Inside the box. It is the same on every pack and opens the authentication page with the instructions for use. It does not identify your unit.
Batch certificates
Batches are tested by an outside laboratory. Where the certificate of analysis for a batch is published, the verification result links to it.
Withdrawn codes
We can revoke a unit code. Every later check of that code shows it as revoked.
The holographic seal
The seal on a genuine pack changes as you tilt it. A printed copy looks the same from every angle. Tilt the drawing with the pointer or the arrow keys.
Checking
How to check a pack
Check the outside of the pack first, then the code.
- 01
Look at the seals
The holographic seal changes as you tilt the pack, the tamper seal is whole and the scratch-off panel is intact.
- 02
Read the print
The product name and strength match what you ordered. The batch number and expiry date are printed on the pack.
- 03
Scratch off the panel
Under it are the unit QR code and the 6-character code.
- 04
Check the code
Scan the QR code with your phone camera, or enter the 6 characters on the verification page.
- 05
Compare the result
The product, batch number and expiry date on the result page match the pack.
Try it on a sample panel
Drag across the grey panel to scratch it off.
Sample code
K7M2QX
K7M2QX is a sample. It does not belong to any unit, so the verification page reports it as not recognised.
Or enter the code
Codes never contain the letters O or I, or the digits 0 or 1.
Go to the verification page →What the result means
Verified
The code matches a genuine, active unit. Save the certificate and register the unit.
Previously checked or registered
The code is genuine but has been checked or registered before. This can follow a check by the seller, or indicate a copied label. Follow the instructions on the result page.
Not recognised
The code does not match any unit in our records. Do not use the product, and report the seller.
Revoked
This code is in our records but has been revoked. Do not treat this unit as verified.
Warning signs
Signs that a pack may not come from us
Contact us before you use the product if any of these apply.
- There is no holographic seal, or the seal looks flat and does not change as you tilt the pack.
- The tamper seal is torn, cut or stuck back down.
- The scratch-off panel was already scratched off when the pack reached you, or there is no panel.
- The code is not recognised, or the result shows it as revoked.
- The result shows a different product, batch number or expiry date from the pack.
- The result shows the unit as registered, and you did not register it.
- The product or strength is not in the current Synedica range.
- A website other than synedica.health presents itself as the manufacturer or as the official Synedica website.
Reporting
What to do if you doubt a pack
- 1.Do not use the product.
- 2.Keep the pack, the label and any receipt or order confirmation.
- 3.Report it with the form below. Name the seller or website, and add a photo of the pack if you can.
National regulators
Suspected falsified medicinal products can also be reported to the national medicines regulator, for example the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) in Germany or the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom.
Our part
What we do with a report
- Each report is stored with the seller, the place of purchase, the code if there is one and any photo you add.
- If you left an email address or phone number, we may contact you about the report.
- Every check of a unit code is recorded. When the checks of one code point to a copied label, the result page warns the next person who checks it.
Questions about falsified packs
Is the QR code inside the box my unit code?
No. The information QR code inside the box is the same on every pack and opens the authentication page. Your unit code is the QR code and 6-character code under the scratch-off panel.
Does a verified result prove the pack is genuine?
It shows that the code belongs to a unit we produced and has not been revoked. Check the seals and the panel as well, because a code can be copied onto another pack.
The scratch-off panel was already scratched when the pack arrived. What should I do?
Check the code and read the result. If it shows the unit as checked before or registered to someone else, report where you obtained the pack.
Do I need an account to check a code?
No. Anyone can check a code on the verification page. Registering a unit to your email or phone number is optional.
Send questions about this page to [email protected].