05/10/2006
EU and counterfeit medicines.
(Source: EurActiv)
In a non-binding resolution, adopted by a show of hands on 7 September 2006, the European Parliament regrets that the "EU became involved at a late stage in the international fight against counterfeiting when more open borders and new technologies (Internet) were likely to exacerbate the problem of piracy".
It therefore urges a strengthening of powers to regulate and control the quality of medicinal products and medical equipment marketed in countries with inadequate resources (developing countries) in an effort to improve access to affordable medicines.
Counterfeit drugs are deliberately and fraudulently mislabelled with respect to identity and source, without necessarily having the effectiveness of the branded, clinically tested originals. Counterfeit medicines can have dangerous consequences to health due to unexpected side effects, allergic reactions or worsening of the patient's medical condition due to wrong ingredients or absence of active ingredients.
The pharmaceutical industry believes that parallel trading of medicines, legal within the EU, brings about an increased risk of counterfeiting and piracy as medicines frequently have to be repackaged by parallel importers.
Currently, no EU anti-counterfeit measures exist specifically for medicines, but the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) supports anti-counterfeiting activities in co-operation with the Commission and national medicines agencies
Counterfeit drugs are deliberately and fraudulently mislabelled with respect to identity and source, without necessarily having the effectiveness of the branded, clinically tested originals. Counterfeit medicines can have dangerous consequences to health due to unexpected side effects, allergic reactions or worsening of the patient's medical condition due to wrong ingredients or absence of active ingredients.
The pharmaceutical industry believes that parallel trading of medicines, legal within the EU, brings about an increased risk of counterfeiting and piracy as medicines frequently have to be repackaged by parallel importers.
Currently, no EU anti-counterfeit measures exist specifically for medicines, but the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) supports anti-counterfeiting activities in co-operation with the Commission and national medicines agencies
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