SEMINAR 10: Counterfeiting drugs – issues for hospital pharmacists

Context :

Market globalisation and the spread of technology have combined to create an environment where piracy is widespread and highly sophisticated. In this environment, manufacturers and intellectual property owners face increasing threats of drug counterfeiting. This is most likely to happen in Europe as there is a tendency for counterfeiters to consider developed countries as a more profitable market. This seminar will raise the awareness of the seriousness of the counterfeit medicine situation nationally and internationally, provide information on key combative strategies and promote vigilance on counterfeit medicines among hospital pharmacists. In particular, innovative and non invasive analytical tools that can be used by hospital pharmacists to prevent counterfeit will be described based on concrete examples.

Teaching Goals:

The presentation will focus on:

• explaining the situation of counterfeit drugs to the hospital pharmacist
• describing strategies of industry or public authorities against counterfeit drugs

Learning objectives:

At the end of the seminar, the delegates should be able to

• locate the information about counterfeit drugs
• recognise the risks of counterfeit drugs
• identify the non invasive techniques to detect counterfeit drugs