Tackling The Problem Of Fake Medicines

Tech, Regs And Education Key To Keeping Supply Chain -- And Patients -- Safe

Despite a raft of measures to prevent substandard or falsified (SF) medicines from reaching individuals, these medicines proliferated with the growth of e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic. The problem requires multistakeholder counter efforts, and for providers and patients to change their behaviors.

Fake Meds
The Pandemic Has Led to a Boost in Online Pharmacy Shopping and Circulation of Substandard or Fake Medicine • Source: Shutterstock

In 2021, more than 100,000 Americans died of opioid overdoses, in many cases after consuming fentanyl-laced counterfeit medications. In sub-Saharan Africa, hundreds of thousands die of malaria each year because they’ve used substandard or falsified (SF) antimalarials.

From pharma companies to legislators, governmental agencies to law enforcement, stakeholders have rolled out a range of initiatives to counter...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on In Vivo for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Manufacturing Focus

Unpacking The Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Drug Pricing And Production

 
• By 

Big pharma plans to invest billions of dollars in US manufacturing to avoid tariffs proposed by the Trump Administration. However, the implementation of these plans may be delayed due to regulatory complexities and rising costs from tariffs, potentially impacting drug prices for consumers.

RESILIENCE Initiative Navigates The World Of Making Medicines Through VR Technology

 

The process of manufacturing medicines can often be complex, expensive and harmful to the environment. Initiatives like RESILIENCE UK are seeking to simplify this process, utilizing VR technology to create a more sustainable learning environment for both students and companies.

Q&A: Rentschler’s CEO On The CDMO’s Pivot Away From Cell And Gene Therapy And More

 
• By 

Rentschler Biopharma CEO Benedikt von Braunmühl tells In Vivo about the CDMO's strategic decision to exit the cell and gene therapy manufacturing space.

CCRM: Building A Global Regenerative Medicine Ecosystem From Canadian Roots

 
• By 

The Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine has spent over a decade crafting a cell and gene therapy ecosystem in Canada. Now it is replicating the model abroad.

More from In Vivo

AI In Health Delivery: Patients Most Confident When HCPs Are In Charge

 
• By 

Annual survey of patients and professionals shows how attitudes to health system transformation are evolving and what stakeholders are demanding as acceptance of AI tools accelerates.

Medtech Innovators Court London-Based Investors At BioWales 2025

 
• By 

BioWales in London 2025 showcased the efforts healthtech innovators are making to meet investors on their own turf, illustrating changing attitudes and evolving needs.

Rising Leaders 2025: Metsera’s Whit Bernard’s Musical Path To Biotech Leadership

 
• By 

Metsera CEO Whit Bernard applies an unconventional leadership philosophy to develop next-generation obesity therapeutics, including monthly GLP-1 injections and oral peptides.