As the market for medical products comes under pressure as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) published a report on Monday 23 March showing that counterfeit medicines represents a major global scourge.
In 2016, the total value of counterfeit products marketed worldwide reached 4.03 billion euros. The loss of revenue for the EU is estimated at around 1.7 billion euros.
The report, published in conjunction with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), indicates that counterfeit antibiotics, lifestyle drugs and painkillers were among the most frequently seized products. Other medicines are also concerned, such as those for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, malaria, HIV, and heart disease.
The report, which covers the period 2014-2016, also shows that India and China are the world's largest producers of counterfeit pharmaceuticals, while Singapore and Hong Kong are identified as the main transit points.
“Counterfeit pharmaceuticals can pose a direct threat to health and life, and their arrival into the EU, often through small parcels and internet sales, poses a challenge for enforcers”, commented Christian Archambeau, Executive Director of EUIPO. Between 2014 and 2016, 96% of all customs seizures of counterfeit pharmaceuticals were of postal or express courier deliveries. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)