Journal of Pharmacovigilance

Abstract

Falsified Medicines in the European Union and North America: What are we doing to Protect Public Health?

Julia Laín Abril, David W Holt and Richard R Wilson

Falsified medicines are a global healthcare problem of pandemic dimensions. The consequences are not limited to the less regulated countries; they also impact on the more highly regulated ones. Being aware of this global public health crisis, government authorities are developing more stringent environments to impede the breach of the legitimate supply chain. However, to protect public health and raise awareness, cooperation on the part of all legitimate stakeholders and collaboration of not-for-profit organisations are crucial. The healthcare professional, as last link of the supply-and-distribution chain, is responsible for the medicines provided and needs to be able to guarantee the quality and safety to ensure the wellbeing of patients. Protecting the health of the patient and ensuring high quality, safe and effective medicines must be the highest priority of healthcare providers and the pharmaceutical industry. This short review analyses the efforts and approaches by different governments in the European Union and North America to abolish the presence of falsified medicines in the market and poses important questions to improve the role of healthcare professionals in this important global health matter.