The UN International Narcotics Control Board Warns of Counterfeit Medicines

 
In its Annual Report released in March, the INCB warns of counterfeitmedicines flooding markets. The topic is the theme of the first chapter1 of the report and is of high priority for the Control Board. The WorldHealth Organisation WHO estimates that 25 – 50 % of medicines consumedin developing countries are believed to be counterfeit. Unknowingclients have experienced serious health or even lethal consequences. Forexample, in Niger, the use of counterfeit vaccines in 1995 resulted in2500 deaths.

Dr Philip O. Emafo, President of the INCB says that "theproblem of counterfeit medication and abuse of pharmaceuticalscontaining controlled substances bought without prescriptions has beenin existence for some time. However, the rapid expansion of unregulatedmarkets has dramatically worsened the situation".

The UN International Narcotics Control Board has called member statesto enforce existing legislation, to impede this menace, and also takeappropriate measures to increase the availability of medicinal drugsthrough legitimate channels, particularly in areas where there is lackof access.

Source:United Nations Information Service, INCB Annual Report, Press Release No.2 and Report of the International Narcotics Control Board for 2006.
  

• Good DistributionPractice and Cold Chain Management

Also specialists from the pharmaceutical industry and serviceproviders will share their expert knowledge about all relevant aspectsregarding the current expectations and the actual development in GoodDistribution Practice, Cold Chain Management and Anti-CounterfeitingStrategies.

 
Author:
Wolfgang Schmitt
On behalf of the European Compliance Academy (ECA)