New research highlights consumer ignorance regarding the circulation of fake medicines. Counterfeit medicines are a serious global issue and a growing problem. It is difficult to gauge accurately the extent of the problem, but the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that more than 10% of the global medicine supply chain is counterfeit, with that percentage rising to 25% in some countries.
In industrialized countries, rising numbers of consumers are turning to illegal Internet pharmacies, which allow them to buy prescription-only medicines for 'lifestyle' conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, weight loss and hair loss, without prescriptions, and often at discounted prices.
"Counterfeit medicines are a serious issue facing patients, healthcare professionals and the whole pharmaceutical industry," said Dr John Young, Medical Director for MSD, manufacturers of PROPECIA.
Simon Williams of the Patients' Association comments: "New websites offering prescription-only medicines seem to pop up every week. For patients, the superficial attractions are convenience and a way of bypassing the need for discussion about potentially embarrassing conditions. However, consumers need to understand what they may be letting themselves in for."
