The EU Falsified Medicines Directive is set to become law this year, ensuring that a definition of ‘falsified medicinal product’ is provided to clearly distinguish falsified medicinal products from other illegal products, as well as from infringements of intellectual property rights.
Furthermore, it will distinguish clearly those products with unintentional quality defects (resulting from manufacturing or distribution errors) from ones that have been deliberately falsified.
The IHMA believes that current statistics paint an alarming picture when it comes to pharmaceutical counterfeiting, not only in the developing markets but also in mature ones.
The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 25% of the medicines consumed in some developing countries are counterfeit or substandard, and that annual earnings from the global sales of fake and substandard medicines total over $32 billion.
Tackling the rise in pharmaceutical counterfeiting
Glenn Wood, US media representative for the IHMA, said any move to tackle the global rise in pharmaceutical counterfeiting has to be seen as a positive development.
“This is a critical time for those involved in tackling counterfeit pharmaceuticals,” suggested Wood.
“Counterfeits are on the increase, with confiscation at borders or during enforcement raids on the rise not only in developing countries but also in the US and in other developed nations.”
Wood continued: “The EU Falsified Medicines Directive has to be seen as a welcome move and, along with other global initiatives, will undoubtedly play a vital part in the constant battle to stem the flood of counterfeit drugs and help producers stay one step ahead of the criminals.”
Covert elements and forensics
Holograms can now combine authentication overt features with covert elements and forensics, and track and trace elements to provide a highly effective weapon in the fight against illicit products. They can be used as seals, labels or as the foil in a blister pack.
Wood added that there are examples of how holograms provide a successful and vital detection function in pharmaceutical anti-counterfeiting strategies.
Many branded medicines have a hologram on the pack or in the blister pack. A few years ago, Malaysia introduced its Meditag serialised hologram label to be found on all registered medicines – traditional and western – which has helped the Ministry of Health inspectors to detect unauthorised and counterfeit product.
“The evolving anti-counterfeiting role of holograms lies in their ability to combine authentication with detection,” explained Wood. “Sometimes pack enhancement, as Rodotex GmbH has shown with its packaging for Vitamin C+Kollagen in Indonesia, can be the key.”
In Woods’ view, this is why the more enlightened pharmaceuticals companies and enforcement agencies continue to make them an integral part of modern anti-counterfeiting strategies.
The IHMA: what’s it all about?
The IHMA is made up of 90 of the world’s leading hologram companies. IHMA members are the leading producers and converters of holograms for banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, packaging, graphics and other commercial applications around the world.
IHMA member companies actively co-operate all the while to maintain the highest professional, security and quality standards.
For further information access the website (a dedicated link can be found on the right hand panel of this page)
