Anti-counterfeit Drugs Campaign,Mini Booklet

Anti-counterfeit Drugs Campaign

Mini Booklet

What is a counterfeit drug? drug? “А counterfeit medicine is one which is deliberately

and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and/or source.“ World Health Organization

The problems’ extent

Worldwide market share on counterfeits (Source: Sanofi Aventis)

Counterfeit drugs include a very big set of medicines, such as cytostatics, analgesics, stimulants and antimicrobials. It can apply to both branded and generic products and can be grouped into six categories: -%32.1 Products without active ingredients -%20.2 Products with incorrect quantities of active ingredients -%21.4 Products with wrong ingredients -%15.6 Products with correct quantities of active ingredients but with fake packaging -1% Copies of an original product -8.5% Products with high levels of impurities and contaminants The problem of counterfeit drugs is known to exist in both developed and developing countries.

The World Health Organisation estimates that %50 of all medicine purchased online through unauthorized online merchants are fake.

What are the consequences?

Counterfeit medicines can harm and kill

Around 700,000 annual deaths linked to fake malaria and tuberculosis medicines About 100.000 deaths in Africa are linked to counterfeits drug trade About 9.6 million fake and illicit medicines have been detected within an Interpol operation in May 2014 Counterfeit medicines lead to a loss of confidence in the own therapy and the entire health system. It can affect the image of manufacturers, doctors, pharmacists and government institutions.

Precautions You Should Consider When Buying Medicines

Tips on how to detect a counterfeit: The package check Difference in: -clarity of print, colours and seals -expiration date and central pharmaceutical number -lot number on package and blister •Does the packaging look compromised?

•Is the label crooked?

•Is it in the correct language?

•Are the safety seals intact?

The physical check: 1.Check that it is consistent in colour and texture 2.Does it crumble easily?

3.Does the colour differ from your normal medicine?

4.Does it smell or taste different?

5.Are the pills cracked or chipped?