EUROPEANS FUEL €10.5 BILLION ILLICIT MEDICINES MARKET (1,2)
New research highlights scale of hidden fake medicines economy as Europeans risk health and buy medicines from illicit sources.
Until now putting a value on the size of the European counterfeit medicines market has been difficult. However, the ‘Cracking Counterfeit Europe’ research commissioned by Pfizer across 14 European countries reveals a massive black market economy generated by counterfeit medicines. This comes just weeks after Gunter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission, announced that 34 million fake tablets had been seized on European borders in just two months(3). The number of counterfeit medicines uncovered at EU borders has increased from 560,598 articles in 2005 to 4,081,056 in 2007; a seven-fold increase over two years(4,5).
The new research shows how one in five of the 14,000 people surveyed (21%), equating to 77 million people in the total population, admitted to buying prescription only medicines from illicit sources(1,2). Worryingly, the results suggest millions are turning to the internet to buy medicines that should be prescribed by a healthcare professional – even though it has been estimated that between 50 and 90% of medicines bought from online sources are fake(6,7).
According to the research, the main reasons people go online to access medicines is to save time and money, with nearly a third of those surveyed (33%) doing so because it’s quick and convenient1 and 39% wanting to save money(1).
The harsh reality is counterfeit medicines can contain harmful ingredients such as rat poison, boric acid and lead paint(8,9). They’re often produced by people with no appropriate qualifications(6) and can include too much, too little or none of the active ingredient they should include(10,11). As a result, fake medicines can and do cause serious harm to patients, which can sometimes lead to death(11).
Dr David Gillen, Pfizer’s Medical Director said: “People across Europe are risking their health and contributing to the criminal economy by accessing medicines from outside legitimate healthcare systems. Nearly a quarter (23%) of those surveyed don’t acknowledge that taking prescription only medicines without a prescription is a risky activity(1). Yet the majority (71%) of people said if they thought the medicines could be fake, this would impact the likelihood of them purchasing(1).
“This points to a clear need for greater public awareness and education. People are not only unaware of the very real dangers of counterfeit medicines, but also that they’re fuelling an illegal and harmful criminal market.”
With over 43% of people turning to the internet for health information and advice(1), this problem looks likely to increase. ‘Cracking Counterfeit Europe’ was initiated to uncover the scale of the counterfeit medicines problem in Europe, and establish why the public is buying prescription only medicines from illicit sources. While the pharmaceutical industry works with health regulators, customs, law enforcement and trade organisations to uncover counterfeiters and bring them to trial, this report uncovers the sheer size of the problem and the reasons why people continue to fuel the market.
Jim Thomson, Chair of the European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines says “This research shows quite clearly that an alarming number of people are risking their health by opting out of the healthcare system. When they do that, when they buy prescription medicines off-prescription, they stand an extremely good chance of receiving a fake. My question to any patient considering such a purchase would be “Where do you turn when the adverse reaction, side effect or for that matter lack of effect kicks in?”
“The message is clear – if you want to be healthy and stay healthy, see a healthcare professional and only take prescription only medicines prescribed by a legitimate healthcare source.”
If people are concerned about the authenticity of the medicines they obtain, they should consult their healthcare professional or local health regulator.
About the research
The research was undertaken by Nunwood on behalf of Pfizer Inc and involved 14,000 men and women from 14 countries across Europe. The research was undertaken between 27th October and 8th November 2009.
References
1. Nunwood survey data November 2009. Online consumer survey, participants 14,000. Countries included the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Finland and Ireland.
2. Nunwood Market Population stats 2008
3. The Independent. Fake drugs on the rise in the EU. 8 December 2009.
4. Report on community customs activities on counterfeit and piracy, European Union, Taxation and Customs Union, 2007.
5. Faucherand P. The evolving problem of counterfeiting and piracy. Presentation at Workshop in the Application of Targeted Risk Management on IPRs for Customs and Economic Police. 2-6 April 2007.
6. European Alliance for Access to Safe Medicines: The Counterfeiting Superhighway, 2008, Medicom
7. In-PharmaTechnologist News.
8. Solomon, S. BC Woman killed by fake drugs bought online. National Review of Medicine. 2007; 4:13
9. Pfizer data on file
10. WHO factsheet. Counterfeit medicines. Last revised 14 November 2006.
11. WHO and IMPACT factsheet. Counterfeit drugs kill!