Combating Counterfeit Medicines to Protect Patient Safety

In this briefing we will explain the background of the circumstances of a global counterfeit medicine, considering that members of IAPO may have different degrees of understanding about the subject. It outlines three options to solve the problem, explains the driving force and potential barriers for each option, and suggests policy recommendations that the IAPO should support. I. Description of Background and Problem A. Counterfeit medicinal products Counterfeit medicines are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "drugs that were deliberately and wrongly misdirected in relation to identities and / or origins."

Drugs are often counterfeited and sometimes have serious consequences for patients 3. Counterfeit medicines are a public health problem in the United States and around the world. In the United States, the problem of counterfeit medicines is expanding, and the supply of these counterfeit medicines comes from all over the world. Counterfeit medicines not only earn income from consumers but also some products with low or no medical value, but may cause unresolved health problems or even death 3. . Of particular importance is that counterfeit medicines can cause consumer safety concerns and reduce patient compliance.

Counterfeit drug trading is a multibillion dollar business that threatens the health and happiness of patients. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate, 10% of global medicines are counterfeit medicines, including half of the medicines consumed in developing countries. Fortunately for Americans, the United States runs the safest prescription drug supply chain in the world. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the most comprehensive drug approval and regulatory procedures and a well-functioning distribution system helps prevent invasion of counterfeit, counterfeit or nonstandard drugs into the United States I will. Importation of unapproved medication will destroy all these