PME: What’s behind the rise in drug counterfeiting?
Remi Turbet Delof (RTD): The recent surge, particularly with medications like Ozempic, can be attributed to several factors:
High demand and shortages: Ozempic (semaglutide), a powerful medication from Novo Nordisk used to treat type 2 diabetes, has been a game changer for patients. Intended initially to manage diabetes, semaglutide has garnered massive popularity for its ability to promote quick weight loss in patients. This popularity has sometimes led to shortages, creating an opportunity for counterfeiters to introduce fake products into the market.
Profitability: counterfeit drugs are lucrative for criminals due to the high cost of genuine medications, with substantial profit margins incentivising the production and distribution of counterfeit versions.
Online sales and distribution: the growth of online pharmacies and marketplaces has made it easier for counterfeit drugs to reach consumers, with the anonymity and vast reach of the internet facilitating the sale of fake medications to unsuspecting patients.
Complex supply chains: the global pharmaceutical supply chain’s complexity can make it challenging to track and verify the authenticity of drugs and counterfeiters exploit these vulnerabilities to infiltrate the market.
Lack of awareness: patients may not always be aware of the risks associated with purchasing medications from unofficial sources, making them vulnerable to counterfeit products.
The case of counterfeit Ozempic in Europe, where fake versions contained insulin instead of the active ingredient semaglutide, underscores the dangers presented by counterfeit drugs.
Not only do they pose serious health risks to patients, but they also cause financial losses for manufacturers and damage brand credibility. Combatting this issue requires a concerted effort from pharmaceutical companies, regulators, healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients to ensure the integrity of the drug supply chain and protect public health.
PME: How can patients avoid inadvertently using counterfeit drugs?
RTD: Patients need to be proactive in recognising and reporting any difference in their medicines. Healthcare professionals also need to educate patients about the differences between genuine and counterfeit drugs. Patients should only buy medications from trusted sources, use caution with any online pharmacies, and inspect the labels and leaflets of their prescriptions for any evidence of tampering.
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