Counterfeiting of medicines is a serious and growing problem around the world.
WHO estimates that between 1% and 30% (rising to 50% on the Internet) of medicines sold worldwide are counterfeit. Counterfeiting is particularly prevalent in the developing world and with medicines bought online. Counterfeit medicines can be harmful and even fatal to patients. The frameworks for tackling the problem vary from country to country and some countries lack the regulation and resources needed to effectively combat counterfeiting.
Preventing counterfeiting of our medicines, wherever it may occur, is an important part of our commitment to patient safety. It also helps us to avoid loss of revenue, protect our reputation and maintain public confidence in healthcare systems.
We work both within AstraZeneca and together with other pharmaceutical companies, governments, law enforcement agencies and healthcare professionals to prevent and detect counterfeiting.
Our approach includes:
- Improving security to prevent counterfeit products from entering the supply chain
- Making it easier to identify counterfeit products
- Raising awareness among law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders
- Investigating suspected cases and seeking prosecution of counterfeiters
- Lobbying for stronger anti-counterfeiting regulations and penalties
There are concerns that pharmaceutical companies may use anti-counterfeiting measures as a means of imposing restrictions on the manufacture, sale or distribution of legitimate generic medicines. We do not use anti-counterfeiting efforts to undermine the legitimate generics industry and we only target counterfeited medicines being passed off as AstraZeneca products.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN
If you have a concern, you should contact your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. If you are in the US, you can also use the AstraZeneca customer care line.
AstraZeneca urges patients and healthcare professionals to be alert to the possibility of counterfeiting. Patients can protect themselves from the risks associated with counterfeit drugs by obtaining all prescription and over-the-counter medications from regulated licensed pharmacies. They should be vigilant when examining their medications, paying attention to altered or unsealed packaging or changes in the product packaging.
Patients should be especially vigilant with products obtained on the internet because their origin and quality cannot be guaranteed.
The content of this page was externally assured by Bureau Veritas, February 2011.