Lu Rahman looks at the anti-counterfeiting measures pharmaceutical companies are having to undertake to fight the rise of fake drugs.
Fake news
The threat that counterfeit medicines pose to the global pharmaceutical sector is immense. From fake formulations to issues in the manufacturing process, some industry figures believe we could be looking at revenue losses up to as much as 27 billion euros in Europe alone.
Ensuring integrity of products can be a challenge for many pharmaceutical businesses. There are European and US regulations to adhere to as well as additional global regulations. Business models and supply chain operations can differ from one contract manufacturing organisation (CMO) to another, adding an extra layer of complexity to the issue of adherence. However, we know that supply chain security is crucial in the fight against fake products and protecting consumers and manufacturers.