The United Nations has warned that counterfeit drugs is a growing global problem and calls on member countries to tighten up laws to curb illegal manufacture and sale of fake medicines, some of which are potentially fatal.
The UN drugs watchdog, the Vienna-based International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said in its recent annual report that the “flood of counterfeit medicines now available in many countries could have fatal consequences for consumers.”
There are two parts to the problem. One is the manufacture and sale of fake drugs, and the other is the diversion and stealing of legal drugs. Both these sources find their way to consumers through unregulated markets.
One example of an unregulated market is illegal sales over the Internet with the drugs being delivered by courier or in regular mail.
A pharmacist who sells controlled drugs without asking for a prescription is also an example of an unregulated market.
In the developing world the most likely route is a local street market or village fair, where, according to the INCB report “narcotics, benzodiazepines, amphetamines and other internationally controlled drugs are easily available.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 25 and 50 per cent of drugs used in developing countries are fake.
Fake drugs look genuine to the unsuspecting consumer; they are not difficult to make and the packaging and labelling looks authentic.
However, they can have lethal consequences, and on a large scale. One incident in Africa in 1995 resulted in 2,500 people dying because they took fake vaccines.
Low cost medication bought on an unregulated market can cause consumers serious harm and even kill them. Even a genuine prescription drug bought without consulting a doctor can be misused with lethal consequences.
“Instead of healing, they can take lives,” said Dr. Philip O. Emafo, President of the INCB.
“The problem of counterfeit medication and abuse of pharmaceuticals containing controlled substances bought without prescriptions, has been in existence for some time. However, the rapid expansion of unregulated markets has dramatically worsened the situation,” added Dr. Emafo.
As well as tightening up legislation, countries can also reduce the use of unregulated markets by making it easier for consumers to get the drugs they need through legal channels, said the INCB.
They also said that in parts of Europe and throughout Africa and South Asia, abuse of prescription drugs was now more prevalent than heroin, cocaine and ecstasy abuse.
In November last year, the WHO launched an international task force to fight the “thriving multimillion-dollar illegal trade in counterfeit drugs, vaccines and other medical products.”
Called The International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT), the organization will comprise mainly drug regulators and law enforcers.
Assistant Director-General for the Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals cluster of departments at WHO, Dr Howard Zucker, who is now chair of IMPACT said at the launch that “We need to help people become more aware of the growing market in counterfeit medicines and the public health risks associated with this illegal practice.”
IMPACT’s first meeting takes place in Prague on the 13th of March.
Click here for the International Narcotics Control Board.
Written by: Catharine Paddock
Writer: Medical News Today