Healthy Skepticism Library item: 4806

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Wertheimer AI, Santella TM.
Counterfeit drugs: defining the problem and finding solutions.
Expert Opin Drug Saf 2005 Jul; 4:(4):619-22
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/utils/lofref.fcgi?PrId=3204&uid=16011440&db=PubMed&url=http://www.ashley-pub.com/doi/abs/10.1517/14740338.4.4.619

Abstract:

The problem of counterfeit drugs is increasingly becoming a top priority of drug regulatory agencies, licit pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare professionals, and is of rising concern among consumers. A review of the current literature reveals that counterfeiting is no longer isolated in developing nations, but is a worldwide pandemic. Although international organisations such as the World Health Organization, have devised specific measures to combat the counterfeit trade, the problem still remains quite daunting. Although the practice of drug counterfeiting is unlikely to ever completely disappear, it may be controlled if governments and all relevant parties combine forces to identify and disrupt the counterfeit chain.

Keywords:
Drug Industry Drug Labeling* Drug and Narcotic Control* Health Policy Humans Pharmaceutical Preparations/standards* World Health Organization