Fake and counterfeit drug sales now "massive;" Indonesia highlighted

The World Health Organization's International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce stated recently that, in developed countries with effective regulatory systems and market controls, including the USA, the European Union, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand, counterfeit drugs account for less than 1% of their total market. In less developed countries, counterfeit drugs may account for a significant share of turnover, but the Taskforce warned there are indications the market share of counterfeits is rising in developed countries (Marketletters passim).

Dubbed IMPACT, this is a group that aims to gather all the most important international players in the fight against counterfeiting and its objective is to coordinate global action to stop the practice in order to promote and protect public health. It was launched late last year (Marketletter November 20, 2006).

Problems faced by Indonesia