WHO urges international action against fake drugs

GENEVA (Reuters) – The World Health Organization (WHO)
appealed on Tuesday for international action against fake and
mislabelled medicines, estimated to account for 10 percent of
drugs sold worldwide.

In a statement issued ahead of a high-level meeting of
regulatory, pharmaceutical industry and consumer
representatives in Rome, the United Nations health agency said
that a global task force ought to be set up to fight drug
counterfeits.

“People don’t die from carrying a fake handbag or wearing a
fake t-shirt. They can die from taking a counterfeit medicine,”
said Howard Zucker, WHO assistant director-general for health
technology and pharmaceuticals.

The Geneva-based agency warned drug counterfeiting is an
increasingly sophisticated and lucrative business, which could
virtually double to be worth $75 billion by 2010.

It urged customs, police and drug enforcement agencies to
share more information on fake drugs and their distribution
methods to shut down international networks.

Barcoding medicines, increasing surveillance methods and
improving patient and healthcare worker education could also
help ensure fewer people take fake medicines, which can lead to
drug resistance and death, the WHO said.