A recent editorial on "The Lancet" called for strengthening the fight against counterfeit drugs. This call comes right after the US FDA have warned that 19 medical practices had bought counterfeit versions of the anti-cancer drug bevacizumab (Avastin) of Roche from an overseas supplier. This was not the first alarm over counterfeit drugs this year.
Counterfeit drugs apart from causing serious adverse effects lack the efficacy that of the genuine drug. Counterfeit anti-infective drugs might also increase the risks of drug resistance. Counterfeit drugs are found across all economic situations - in developing and developed nations. The category of drugs might differ though. In 2009, there were 34 million fake tablets (including antibiotics, cancer treatments, and sildenafil citrate (Viagra)) in seized just 2 months.
The article quoted the statement from WHO, “counterfeit drugs may erode public confidence in health care systems, health care professionals, the suppliers and sellers of genuine drugs, the pharmaceutical industry and national Drug Regulatory Authorities”.
In 2006, WHO created IMPACT (International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce) a global initiative to curb counterfeit drug malaise. But some NGOs and Indian and Brazilian Governments have opposed the work of IMPACT. The principal reason is they believe it would confuse quality and intellectual property rights issues and thus undermine access to legitimate and much lower-cost generic medicines consumed mostly in poor areas. Although enforcement of trademarks is often one way that dangerous fake medicines are stopped, overzealous interpretation of intellectual property laws can reduce access to good medicines. Kenya's Anti-Counterfeit Act, enacted in 2009, has been criticised for not clearly distinguishing the difference between generic and counterfeit drugs. The Act was challenged as a violation of the right to life by three patients with HIV/AIDS, because they were denied affordable generic medicines after the enforcement of the law.
The Lancet, Volume 379, Issue 9817, Page 685, 25 February 2012
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60289-X
The Lancet, Volume 379, Issue 9817, Page 685, 25 February 2012
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60289-X
