Counterfeit Healthcare Products
Counterfeit medicines, including substandard, falsified, untested, unregistered and unlicensed drugs, represent a public risk well known to health organizations worldwide. It is estimated that international trade in counterfeit and pirated products exceeds $500 billion or 3% of world trade. In some countries, counterfeits are believed to encompass up to 30% of the market. More importantly, counterfeit and substandard drugs are believed to be responsible for over 1 million deaths each year, including hundreds of thousands of children. Counterfeits cover the spectrum of medicines, both prescription and OTC, as well as different forms of medical devices and surgical instruments and a range of consumer products. In many cases, counterfeit or fake, products are indistinguishable to patients, consumers and healthcare professionals, so detection by specialists is needed. Counterfeit medicines and consumer health products are readily available today in many countries, especially online, and are typically offered at attractive price points, luring buyers with what appears to be “a good deal.”