The counterfeit medicines problem

Information on the scale of the problem is inadequate and there are no global studies conducted. However, it is known to affect both developed and developing countries. The problem is more pronounced in countries where the manufacture, importation, distribution, supply and sale of drugs are less regulated and enforcement is weak.

So far, the counterfeit drugs that have been discovered have rarely been efficacious and, in many cases have been positively dangerous and detrimental to public health.

The factors facilitating the occurrence of counterfeit drugs vary from country to country. However, the most common factors are considered to be: lack of legislation prohibiting counterfeiting of drugs; weak penal sanctions; weak or absent national drug regulatory authorities; weak enforcement of drug laws; shortage/erratic supply of drugs; lack of control of drugs for export; trade involving several intermediaries and free trade zones; and corruption and conflict of interest.

Attachments:

The_Lancet_vol8_Nov08.pdf

[Drug quality surveys should be done using random sampling]

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