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The issue

Counterfeit medical products represent a global public health crisis. They range from inactive, useless preparations to harmful, toxic substances, and are often indistinguishable from the genuine product. They pose a major risk to public health and are becoming increasingly prevalent in all parts of the world.

High costs of legitimate drugs and inadequate controls mean that patients turn increasingly (knowingly or otherwise) to counterfeit drugs. At best, these substandard drugs are likely to be less effective, but they can also be harmful, even life-threatening. Fake antimalarial drugs are believed to be a contributory factor in a significant number of tragedies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also increasingly available are counterfeited treatments for life threatening diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

The response

INTERPOL develops specific enforcement activities against counterfeit medical products through its membership of the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT). In 2008, the INTERPOL General Assembly (the Organization's supreme governing body) endorsed this innovative approach by voting a resolution to support the fight against counterfeit medical products.

Read also

INTERPOL applauds Southeast Asia Operation Storm II’s success in disrupting trade of counterfeit medical products 27 January 2010   International operation combats online supply of counterfeit and illegal medicines 19 November 2009   Police, customs and health officials agree way forward in combating counterfeit medical products in Southern Africa 12 November 2009   IMPACT Regional Conference on Combating Counterfeit Medical Products 9-10 November 2009, Kempton Park, South Africa   General Assembly Resolution: Improving international co-operation to combat counterfeit medical products