Counterfeit
Products
(The widespread problem of
counterfeit pharmaceuticals on the market)
According to the International
Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations:
“Trade in
counterfeit drugs is widespread and affects both developing and developed
countries. All medicines are subject to counterfeiting, both branded
and generic. Counterfeit drugs are found under different forms, including:
Products with the correct ingredients (but often
with incorrect quantities of active ingredients, or time-expired
active ingredients, creating an increased risk of drug resistance.
The product may also have been relabeled, which can lead to allergic
reactions and harmful interactions with other drugs);
Products with the wrong ingredients (possibly
toxic and therefore directly harmful to patients);
Products without active ingredient (leaving patients
at risk as their disease is left without treatment)
It is virtually
impossible to tell the difference between real and fake medicines.
Taking for granted that the drugs can be trusted, patients, doctors
and other medical staff often do not even suspect that there is anything
wrong with their medicines. However, not only is it in most cases hard
to detect suspicious products, but there is also a lack of public awareness
about counterfeit drugs and their seemingly uncontrolled presence
on the market. As a consequence, medicines that do not work or cause
unusual side-effects are rarely even reported, since symptoms (including
deaths) are usually attributed to the disease. From a judicial perspective,
prosecution is complicated by the fact that the evidence of counterfeiting
is consumed.”
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