Springfield Police warn of counterfeit prescription pill trend

Springfield, Mo. –  The Springfield Police Department recently seized large quantities of pills that look like Oxycodone but have been called Percocet.

The counterfeit pills are believed to contain Fentanyl and have caused several overdoses. The recent trend involving counterfeit prescription pills poses a threat to those who may encounter it.

Oxycodone and Percocet are opioid pain medications commonly prescribed by physicians. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and is commonly added to heroin or other controlled substances to increase their potency. It can be absorbed into the body via inhalation or skin contact. Illegally manufactured Fentanyl can be extremely dangerous and has been a major contributor to opioid-related overdoses.

In 2021, the Springfield Police Department responded to 566 calls for service involving overdoses with 61 total fatalities. In 2022, the Springfield Police Department has responded to 86 calls for service involving overdoses with eight total fatalities.

Anyone taking prescription medications should only obtain them from a licensed medical prescriber or pharmacy.

The photo showing the front and back of a single pill depicts the typical appearance of Oxycodone.

Image with numerous counterfeit pills believed to contain Fentanyl. The two are difficult to distinguish between legitimate and counterfeit.

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