The end of November traditionally marks the start of a mammoth shopping spree in many parts of the world. And amid the gaudy decorations, crowded high streets and seasonal music there are the traditional warnings to consumers to be sure that the goods they are buying are genuine.
Of course, it is often very difficult to the untrained eye to tell real from fake, and the truth may only emerge months later when the product in question fails to function.
How much harder, then, for patients to tell whether the medication they are taking is likely to treat their condition or will have no effect or even make things worse.
The pharma manufacturing sector is making strenuous efforts to keep fake medicines off the market, including developing and adopting advanced analytical techniques, incorporating anticounterfeiting devices into the dosage forms or the packaging and participating in industry-led audit schemes.
But with a supply chain that is growing increasingly complex, even the serialisation measures in the new Falsified Medicines Directive may not be sufficient to beat the problem.
Now a new global campaign, called Fight the Fakes, has been launched aimed at raising consumer awareness of the issue. Ten partners who represent healthcare professionals, disease-specific organisations, product-development partnerships, foundations, international financing institutions, as well as the research-based pharmaceutical industry have joined forces. Participation in the campaign is also open to those from other walks of life eager to join the battle.
In this season of goodwill, let’s be sure that the money spent on medicines is not going to the unscrupulous who care only about illegal profits without regard for the consequences.
And on that note, everyone at Manufacturing Chemist would like to wish readers and visitors around the world the compliments of the season and a very happy and healthy year in 2014.