How do the Pharmaceutical Industry and Health Authorities fight together against drug counterfeiting ?

Abstract

Drug counterfeiting is a worldwide issue threatening patient’s health, causing economic losses, and impacting pharmaceutical industries’ reputation. Criminals attracted to massive profit and weak penalties are adapting to local markets and new consumption patterns such as online purchase of medication. It’s therefore crucial for healthcare professionals to secure the authorized supply chain by implementing technical solutions along with regulations and raise awareness on dangers related to consumption of these products. This bibliographic end of master’s thesis named “How do the Pharmaceutical Industry and Health Authorities fight together against drug counterfeiting?” will gather and sum up pertinent information around this issue and set the actual context of drug counterfeiting. All countries are affected but the African continent is mostly targeted with up to 30% counterfeited medicines. Broad type of drugs is counterfeited and often manufactured in China and India then sent by air, sea or mail in small parcels to avoid greater loss in case of seizure. Factors such as limited access, affordability, parallel trading, e-pharmacies, diversion, justice and detection are contributing to the development of this problem. Multiple countermeasures have been put in place by Authorities and the pharmaceutical industry to mitigate drug counterfeiting risks. They involve publication of regulations such as the MEDICRIME Convention, Falsified Medicine Directive in Europe and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act in USA. In addition, to comply with such regulations, technical solutions have been developed and implemented by the industry across multiple markets. Adaptation of criminals to theses measures require to make the fight more complex throughout permanent adjustments of regulations and technical solutions, global information sharing, police coordinated actions and training of all involved personnel.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Namur Université Catholique de Louvain
Supervisor	Patricia Lienard (Supervisor)