Dangers of Counterfeit Medicines

How big is the problem?

Counterfeit medicines and medical devices appear everywhere. Most seriously affected is Africa, especially with anti-malarial medication, but also the legitimate supply chain in developing and industrialized countries are compromised. The reports "The Globalization of Crime" and "Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa" published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime show alarming figures e.g. in Nigeria 2013 up to 73% of the evaluated anti-malarial medication where substandard.

WHO estimates counterfeits for developing countries between 15% - 30% overall as in industrialized countries still around 1% in the legitimate supply chain e.g. wholesalers, pharmacies and hospitals.

The situation reports provided by Pharmaceutical Security Institute over the last decade show an increase of counterfeits by a factor of 10 not only with life style drugs but also with others like cancer drug and hormones. In the recent years theft and diversion of pharmaceuticals increased significantly as well.

What are the risks for the patient

An individual who receives a counterfeit medicine may risk a number of dangerous health consequences.

The drug may

• contain a different quantity of the original active ingredient
• contain totally different active ingredients
• contain toxic ingredients
• bear forged manufacturer's data on the packaging
• have been completely repackaged
• have been produced under conditions that do not conform with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP)
• have not been transported and stored properly.

You may experience unexpected side effects, allergic reactions, or a worsening of your medical condition. Such unexpected effects must be reported immediately to a physician. Even worse, counterfeited medicines can kill. Examples can be found on the Interpol web site