We are seeing a significant increase in the manufacture, trade and distribution of counterfeit, stolen and illicit medicines and medical devices. Patients across the world put their health, even life, at risk by unknowingly consuming fake drugs or genuine drugs that have been doctored, badly stored or that have expired.
Illicit drugs can contain the wrong dose of active ingredient, or none at all, or a different ingredient. They are associated with a number of dangers and, at worst, can result in heart attack, coma or death.
The fight against counterfeit medicines is crucial in order to ensure the quality of products in circulation and to protect public health on a global scale.
The increasing prevalence of counterfeit and illicit goods has been compounded by the rise in Internet trade, where they can be bought easily, cheaply and without a prescription. It is impossible to quantify the extent of the problem, but in some areas of Asia, Africa and Latin America counterfeit medical goods can form up to 30% of the market.
Organized criminal networks are attracted by the huge profits to be made through pharmaceutical crime. They operate across national borders in activities that include the import, export, manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and illicit medicines. Coordinated and cross-sector action on an international level is therefore vital in order to identify, investigate and prosecute the criminals behind these crimes.
At INTERPOL, we are tackling this major problem in three main ways:
If you would like to get involved with our work, please contact us.

Spreading the word about the dangers of counterfeit medicines - singers Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Youssou N'dour have recorded a song called Proud To Be.
Proud To Be - clip 1
Proud To Be - clip 2
Fact sheet
Pharmaceutical crime | PDF 915 KB