Counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) working group on counterfeit medicines

摘要

This article discusses the scourge of counterfeit active pharmaceutical ingredients and counterfeit finished pharmaceutical dosage forms. With an estimated 70% of drugs sold in West Africa being counterfeit and 40% of drugs in South America being counterfeit, counterfeiting is big business (up to US Dollars 15 billion annually) and is now a major, relatively risk-free, money-making business for organized crime and terrorist groupings. As well as describing the current global situation, the article also suggests programs to counter this scourge. 2006 Michael H. Anisfeld.