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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
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Results for counterfeit medicines
7 results foundAuthor: Fenoff, Roy S. Title: Africa's Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Epidemic: The Road Ahead Summary: The production, distribution, and consumption of counterfeit pharmaceuticals represent a particularly dangerous public health risk; estimates of the numbers of counterfeit pharmaceuticals range from 10 to 15 percent of the world drug supply. This report examines the problem of Africa's counterfeit pharmaceutical epidemic. Details: East Lansing, MI: Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection Program (A-CAPPP), School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, 2009. 20p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2009 Country: Africa URL: Shelf Number: 118797 Keywords: Counterfeit MedicinesCounterfeitingIllicit DrugsPharmacy Crimes |
Author: Bate, Roger Title: The Deadly World of Fake Drugs Summary: The burden of fake and substandard drugs is not evenly distributed across the globe. Even where reporting systems are weak and the media is not free, most reported instances of substandard medicines occur in poorer countries, where poor regulation allows criminals to easily infiltrate weak supply chains. Although rich nations face fewer breakdowns in their regulation and supply systems, they are certainly not safe from this threat. This document provides a plethora of examples of the manufacture, sale, and distribution of fake and substandard drug examples from all over the world. Where possible, data has been summarized to report problems at the continental, regional and national levels. Although no comprehensive data on the magnitude of the counterfeit drug trade exists, this document illustrates the breadth, depth, and danger of the problem globally. Many of these examples were compiled from local news sources. Countries without a free press may not appear at all in the following pages, but it is doubtful that the lack of evidence reflects an inconsequential number of substandard drugs. It is much more likely that these locations have a major problem with counterfeit and substandard drugs but data for these locations are simply unavailable. Evidence we do have suggests that counterfeit products are as much a problem in locations without a free press as they are elsewhere. In fact, in some countries like North Korea, counterfeiting operations are part of a vast, government-sponsored enterprise. Some stories of major counterfeiting rings involve numerous countries. Since the reader may only be interested in a specific countries, key statistics from the study are quoted in each location they pertain to, resulting in some overlap. Finally, because of the nature of the literally hundreds of sources cited in this section, it is inevitable that there will be a confusion of definitions. What one reporter, government agency, police statement, pharmaceutical company, academic researcher and others may call a fake product, their peers may not. For this reason, the reports in this chapter should not be viewed as necessarily comparable. In some instances it is possible to tell the claims made apart but overall it is not, and therefore is rarely attempted. With this major caveat in mind, this document hopefully provides a useful detail of the widespread and dangerous nature of dangerous medicines. Details: Washington, DC: American Enterprise Institute, 2012. 145p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2012 at: http://www.aei.org/files/2012/02/27/-appendix-a-master-2_170026856632.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.aei.org/files/2012/02/27/-appendix-a-master-2_170026856632.pdf Shelf Number: 125547 Keywords: Counterfeit MedicinesFake DrugsPrescription Drugs |
Author: Diallo, Ismaila Title: A profile of crime markets in Dakar Summary: Several criminal markets - ranging from drug trafficking to human trafficking, piracy and counterfeiting, trafficking of pharmaceuticals, cybercrime and money laundering - can be found in Dakar, Senegal. This paper profiles those criminal markets currently active in the city and its suburbs, analyzing their structures, operations and transnational dimensions. The expansion of these criminal markets is a matter of considerable concern for West Africa's economic and social development. In every case, 'regardless of the criminal market... the common denominator is always exploitation for profit. This exploitation ultimately affects the entire country: its people and institutions; its' economic prosperity; and its social fabric'. Details: Pretoria: Institute for Security Studies, 2014. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: ISS Paper 264: Accessed August 14, 2014 at: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/Paper264.pdf Year: 2014 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.issafrica.org/uploads/Paper264.pdf Shelf Number: 133050 Keywords: Counterfeit MedicinesCriminal Networks (South Africa)CybercrimeDrug TraffickingHuman TraffickingMoney LaunderingOrganized CrimePirates/Piracy |
Author: Przyswa, Eric Title: Counterfeit Medicines and Criminal Organisations Summary: Counterfeit Medicines are a major threat that is spreading dangerously across the globe and the International Institute of Research Against Counterfeit Medicines (IRACM) has decided to present a study report to decipher the relationship between organized crime and medicine counterfeiting. Today, every country, every person can come into contact with counterfeit medicines. The risk of taking counterfeit medicines "involuntarily" is increased exponentially for any potential patient of the "global village". This risk can become a real danger to individual lives, but also a global threat to public health. The IRACM wishes to alert the public by publishing this report to raise awareness among governments and citizens and help consumer-patients to make careful choices, whether on the internet or at markets in developing countries where drugs are sold on stalls at lower prices. The purpose of such a report is a hot topic as medicine counterfeiting issues have escalated to worrying heights with the growth of international trade and the Internet. This problem now generates major public health issues on an international scale. As for criminal organizations, they are often perceived simplistically in public debate and this research on this new subject seeks to attempt to characterize the structures that exist. The study focuses not only on Western countries but also on Russian and especially Chinese aspects, often regarded as strategic. This novel research report includes the best international academic sources and seeks to identify the logic behind the most significant criminal strategies rather than provide a hypothetical exhaustive list of organizations involved in such illegal trafficking. Many criminal organizations Based on our research, it is clear that criminal organizations are involved in medicine counterfeiting and three types of organization can be identified: Small-sized organizations (two to five people) often created by opportunistic individuals motivated by short-term gains. These organizations offer specific products at attractive prices. Medium-sized transnational organizations whose criminal profile varies: these may be structures stemming from organized crime (Wuppertal case1), opportunistic businessmen using sophisticated techniques to manage their organization (Arnaud B. case2) or people more directly connected to the pharmaceutical industry (Gillespie case). Large-scale and transnational organizations as seen in two significant cases: - The RxNorth case involving a Canadian distributor which, in parallel with its business, organized a complex system to import counterfeit medicines made in China into the United States, transiting them through Hong Kong, the Middle East, the UK and the Bahamas. - Another, even more complex example: a so-called "Jordanian-Syrian" network created in 2003 during the U.S. invasion of Iraq and which, through a succession of opportunities, evolved into multiple subnetworks in the region (Jordan, Palestinian territories, Egypt, Syria), then moved to the West with a counterfeit cancer drug whose network transited through several countries (Egypt, Turkey, Switzerland, Great Britain) before finally reaching the U.S. market. This case, which has received little media coverage, is thought to be the largest criminal network of medicine counterfeiting still active. Chinese organized crime has a very strategic role and it is important to distinguish Chinese criminal cases involving the Western market (the case of Kevin Xu, a businessman who specialized in exports), from cases mostly involving the local market where the criminals often have connections to the healthcare sector. Lastly, there are foreign structures that create local companies that serve to build transnational networks based in this leading region for the manufacture of counterfeit medicines. On the Internet there are two types of criminal structures. The first category includes opportunistic online networks set up on an ad hoc basis by being grafted onto "real" trade with the end consumer in the distribution phase. The second category of organizations is dedicated exclusively to online distribution with globalized affiliation techniques and aggressive advertising on search engines or through spam. The most significant case of a cybercrime organization in recent years involves the Russian Glavmed and SpamIt affiliation programs. The affiliates of these two networks benefited from "prefabricated" online pharmacies and a dozen SpamIt affiliates earned over $1 million in commission on their website. Vast criminal organizations Generally speaking, certain analytical limitations in deciphering these organizations have been identified and differentiate our analyses from most sources on the subject. Despite the proven involvement of Italian criminal organizations in the counterfeiting of luxury goods and the healthcare sector, their presence in the organization of counterfeit medicine trafficking is difficult to prove. However, the report raises the theoretical possibility of the Mafia's involvement in certain strategic locations such as harbours. As for the Chinese Triads, analysing their involvement has proven to be difficult, as research in mainland China is complex. In short, we must be cautious regarding the presence of traditional criminal organizations in our field of study. The involvement of terrorist organizations is also difficult to prove, despite many reports seeking to document money laundering linked to counterfeit medicine trafficking. But the explanations given are often related to broader geopolitical issues, raising doubts over the objectivity of such analyses (Hezbollah for example). However, the involvement of the IRA in the organization of a vast counterfeit veterinary drug trafficking network in the early 90s between Northern Ireland and Florida has been clearly proven. In sum, the report identifies these criminal organizations and their activities and characterizes them in several ways: - Fragmented crime through better access to illegal activities. The "massification" of printing, production and distribution techniques has clearly facilitated such developments. - Criminal organizations often operate based on a "structural holes" approach, seeking to maximize the systemic flaws in the supply chain or on a broader scale (free trade zones, tax havens, servers hosted in "protected" areas, etc.). - On a large scale, these organizations are characterized by a hybrid network structure, where licit operators can cooperate with illicit ones or be directly involved in such criminal trafficking. - In terms of timelines, it is important to distinguish between organizations likely to generate a major risk over a relatively short period of time, and that need to be dismantled as quickly as possible, and large hybrid organizations whose total elimination can take years. - To our knowledge, there are no sustainable large-scale transnational criminal organizations that combine trafficking on the Internet and trafficking in the "real" world. - Paradoxically, networks on the Internet often seem to have a more structured and consistent organization than organizations involved in medicine counterfeiting in the "real" world, which are more difficult to observe. - The counterfeit medicines distributed are no longer limited to "convenience" drugs but also include major diabetes and cancer treatments. Details: Paris: Institut de Recherche Anti-Contrefacon de Medicaments, 2013. 129p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 9, 2015 at: http://www.iracm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Contrefacon-de-Medicaments-et-Organisations-Criminelles-EN.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.iracm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Contrefacon-de-Medicaments-et-Organisations-Criminelles-EN.pdf Shelf Number: 135203 Keywords: Counterfeit GoodsCounterfeit MedicinesCybercrimeIllegal GoodsOrganized CrimePharmaceuticals |
Author: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Title: Illicit Trade: Converging Criminal Networks Summary: Illicit trade is a worldwide phenomenon. Globalisation has provided opportunities for criminal networks to expand the scope and scale of their operations, with serious negative consequences for the economy, the environment and society. Illicit trade also undermines good governance, the rule of law and citizens' trust in government, and can ultimately threaten political stability. This report provides analysis of some of the main areas of illicit trade, including trafficking in persons, wildlife, counterfeit medicines, narcotics, tobacco, alcohol and sports betting. It looks at what drives and facilitates such activity, estimates the volume of trade and amount of revenue it generates, maps the pathways of illicit goods from production to consumer, describes the shortcomings of current policies for reducing or deterring illicit trade, and suggests avenues for improvement. Understanding illicit trade It is important to clearly define and measure illicit trade, and understand the context that allows it to flourish. However, countries - and sometimes regions within countries - do not always agree on what goods can be legally traded, and there is even greater variance in the application of quality standards and the protection of intellectual property rights. These differences can make cross-country measurement of illicit trade as a whole very difficult, which is why this report takes a sectoral approach. Our increasingly interconnected economies and societies have allowed organized crime to expand alongside the exponential growth in legitimate international trade. Criminal networks exploit differences in regulatory and tax regimes to move goods and services across borders. While exact measurements can be difficult given the clandestine nature of illicit transactions, one estimate puts the profits of international organised crime as high as USD 870 billion, or 1.5% of global GDP. Calculating and tracking the money made from these activities is important as it can provide crucial information to law enforcement. More data and information sharing is needed to develop a clearer understanding of illicit trade and how to combat it. A more holistic view of the cost of illicit trade also takes into account its harmful impacts on consumers, the environment, tax revenues and jobs. Traffic in humans and narcotics, for example, also exact a very heavy social toll. Illicit trade can also be closely linked to criminal violence and terrorism. Costs in terms of law enforcement, incarceration and rehabilitation should also be taken into account. Finally, illicit trade can cause longer-term damage to the rule of law, public trust, human capital and public health, as well as deter foreign investment. Trafficking in persons According to estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), 20.9 million people are forced into slavery worldwide causing immense, long-term damage to individuals, communities, and nations. Trafficked persons tend to flow from poorer regions to richer regions and from conflict regions to more stable regions. Governments need to give priority to implementing laws for preventing trafficking, protecting victims and prosecuting both traffickers and the corrupt public officials who assist them. Illicit trade in wildlife Demand for elephant ivory and rhino horn has driven dramatic growth in illegal wildlife markets in recent years due primarily to a growing consumer base in East Asia. Taken together, all forms of wildlife trafficking constitutes one of the most lucrative forms of illicit trade, and the sector has more than doubled since 2007. Monitoring and enforcement in source countries can be effective means to reduce poaching, but training and information systems are needed to build adequate capacity. Counterfeit medicines The trade in counterfeit medicine is a huge industry, generating as much as USD 200 billion a year in tangible goods alone according to OECD's study of 2005 data, which is soon to be updated. It has a direct negative impact on health, depriving users of appropriate treatment and contributing to global microbial resistance. Pharmaceutical companies also suffer a loss in revenue and reputation, and increased costs for security. Successfully combatting counterfeiting will require more extensive information sharing across agencies and nations. Finally, the development and adoption of an international public health treaty would be a significant step toward protecting patients and public health globally. Tobacco products The illicit trade in tobacco is perhaps the most widespread and most documented sector in the shadow economy. It has been estimated that 570 billion illicit cigarettes were consumed worldwide in 2011. Illicit tobacco is an important source of revenue for criminal networks, and deprives government services of excise tax revenues at the same time. To counter the illicit trade in tobacco products, governments developing a multifaceted approach, including: building partnerships, increasing data validity and reliability, launching educational and public awareness campaigns, increasing capacity-building efforts, and prioritising countering illicit tobacco products and its associated crimes. Narcotics The global narcotics trade is thought to be the single largest black market in the world, and is a source of revenue for international criminal organization. In addition to the negative impact on human health and well-being caused by the narcotics themselves, the criminal violence that accompanies all aspects of drug trafficking erodes state institutions and is often difficult to reverse. Tackling the narcotics trade effectively will require not only punitive approaches and sanctions but also state building, economic development and good governance practices. Alcohol It is estimated that billions of dollars from trafficking and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages flow through the global economy each year, distorting local economies, diminishing government and legitimate business revenues, and in some cases posing a serious health risk to consumers. It is estimated that illicit sources account for 25% of total worldwide adult alcoholic consumption. Contributing factors include the higher cost of legal products from taxes, weak laws, lack of enforcement and social acceptance of contraband in some countries. Sports manipulation The globalisation of sports has led to an increase in unregulated sports betting, which is increasingly used for money laundering and has been connected to corruption in sports (match-rigging). An internationally co-ordinated, pro-active response is needed, including initiatives targeting bettors and offenders, police action and co-operation with financial institutions. It is also important to communicate on the subject of sports integrity to all stakeholders, including the public and the media. Details: Paris: OECD, 2015. 259p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 5, 2016 at: http://www.oecd.org/gov/risk/illicit-trade-converging-criminal-networks.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.oecd.org/gov/risk/illicit-trade-converging-criminal-networks.pdf Shelf Number: 138115 Keywords: Counterfeit MedicinesCriminal NetworksDrug TraffickingHuman TraffickingIllegal TradeIllicit TobaccoIllicit TradeOrganized CrimeSports BettingWildlife Crime |
Author: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) Title: Counterfeit Medicines and Organised Crime Summary: Counterfeit medicines are among the counterfeit products with the greatest potential for harming the health of consumers. The production of pharmaceuticals is heavily regulated in order to ensure product compliance with the highest quality and safety standards. All drugs must undergo clinical trials before being marketed in order to test their efficiency, verify their quality and exclude the potential existence of side effects on patients. These institutional and technical measures are meant to work as a safety valve to guarantee the quality of medicines. Counterfeit products do not respect any of these regulations and requirements. Despite the existence of controls, counterfeit products exist in the market, creating consequences ranging from ineffective therapeutic results to severe health problems or death. Before considering the various elements of the problem, the term "counterfeit drug" The meaning associated with "counterfeit medicines" may also incorporate other cases that -- for various reasons -- are ascribable to the adulteration/replication of a product and/or tampering of the packaging: - products containing the same active ingredients and the same excipients of the original pharmaceutical agent and that are correctly packaged and labelled but which have been illegally imported into a country; - products containing the same ingredients of the genuine medicine and with genuine packaging but which contain incorrect amounts of ingredients; - products which -- despite being identical from an external point of view and have genuine packaging -- do not contain any active ingredient; - products externally similar to the originals and with genuine packaging but that contain harmful substances instead of the correct active ingredients; - products with counterfeit packaging and correct amounts of active ingredients; - products with counterfeit packaging but with different amounts of active ingredients; - products with counterfeit packaging that contain a different active ingredient or harmful substances; - products with counterfeit packaging that do not contain active ingredients. should be defined. According to the 1992 World Health Organization (WHO) definition, a counterfeit drug is a pharmaceutical product "which is deliberately and fraudulently mislabeled with respect to identity and/or source." The WHO further clarifies that this definition applies to both branded and unbranded medicines, the so-called generics, and it includes products "with the correct ingredients or with the wrong ingredients, without active ingredients, with insufficient active ingredients or with fake packaging." This definition stresses out the adulteration, inappropriateness, illegality and by extension, the danger of these products. Details: Turin: UNICRI, 2012. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 10, 2016 at: http://www.unicri.it/topics/counterfeiting/medicines/report/Ctf_medicines_and_oc_advance_unedited2013.pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.unicri.it/topics/counterfeiting/medicines/report/Ctf_medicines_and_oc_advance_unedited2013.pdf Shelf Number: 139367 Keywords: Consumer FraudCounterfeit GoodsCounterfeit MedicinesOrganized Crime |
Author: Di Nicola, Andrea Title: Fakecare: Developing expertise against the online trade of fake medicines by producing and disseminating knowledge, counterstrategies and tools across the EU Summary: This project seeks to develop expertise in the online trade of counterfeit medicines, and develop strategies for the detection of illegal online pharmacies. The aim of the project is to develop expertise in tackling the trade of fake medicine through the Internet. It will do this by: developing in-depth knowledge of this criminal market, through innovative methods producing counterstrategies and tools (including an ICT tool) to disrupt such a trade, based on this knowledge disseminating knowledge, counterstrategies and tools to relevant stakeholders across the EU. Details: Trento, Italy: eCrime, University of Trento, 2015. 122p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 2, 2017 at: http://www.fakecare.com/images/pdf/eCrime_Research_Reports_02.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Europe URL: http://www.fakecare.com/images/pdf/eCrime_Research_Reports_02.pdf Shelf Number: 141262 Keywords: Consumer FraudCounterfeit MedicinesFake MedicinesMedicinesPharmaceuticals |