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E.U. Medicrime Convention Calls for Collaborative Effort in the Fight Against Counterfeit Drugs

E.U. Flag with yellow and blue pills

Counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes is a global concern, and no country is spared. The Council of Europe sees it as a common responsibility for the global community to eradicate the problem, which is what prompted them to draft the Medicrime Convention.

The Medicrime Convention constitutes, for the first time, a binding legal document on the counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats to public health. The Medicrime Convention addresses the following:

  • the safeguarding of public health through legislative measures;
  • international cooperation between health, police and customs authorities;
  • collective efforts to criminalize the production and distribution of counterfeit medicines;
  • harmonized international legislation and sanctions that are proportionate to the harm caused to patients;
  • stricter penalties for criminal organizations that operate across borders; and
  • education about a dangerous business that puts patients at risk.

Since the Medicrime Convention was formally adopted by the E.U. in 2010, 24 countries have signed on to work with the Council of Europe on this important goal. Stakeholders, including the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare (EDQM), the Council of Europe, and pharmaceutical industry leaders are working together to get even more countries to participate in what IFPMA is calling “the biggest milestone to combat counterfeit drugs.” Recently, five countries have completed the ratification process, so the Convention will enter into force on January 1, 2016. We will keep you updated on it’s progress.

We at CSIP are encouraged about the Medicrime Convention, and how it will enhance collective action and cooperation among countries in fighting counterfeit drugs. We will continue to do our part in the U.S. to work with our members and partners to keep fake and substandard drugs out of the supply chain, and out of the hands of consumers.

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The Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP) and our 12 member companies have the shared goal of helping address the growing problem of consumer access to illegitimate pharmaceutical products on the Internet. Continue to read this blog for updates on CSIP’s education, enforcement and information-sharing efforts.