Summary:
- Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are one of the most profitable forms of counterfeiting in the world posing challenges for healthcare systems globally.
- The incidence of counterfeit medicines in both developed and developing countries has increased. Developing countries with high levels of poverty and weak regulatory frameworks have become soft targets for counterfeiters.
- Advances in technology have made it easy for counterfeiters to produce packaging that closely resembles genuine medicines, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and fake medicines.
- It is assumed that fake medicines are only sold on the black market but this is not the case. Fake medicines are available online in both developed and developing countries.
- Fake medicines contain harmful ingredients that pose a threat to the health and lives of the consumers buying them.
