Trade body urges pharma manufacturers to review anti-counterfeiting plans

Dr Paul Dunn, chair of the IHMA

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are being urged to review their anti-counterfeiting plans alee of the possible failure by the UK authorities to agree on a Brexit bargain with the European union. Global trade trunk International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA) said the UK could see a flood of apocryphal medicines later on the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) ceases to apply at the end of the Brexit transition period on 1 Jan 2021.

Since early on 2019, the FMD utilizes mandatory safety features and an European union-wide database to help stem imitation or counterfeit medicines, which could endanger lives and attain people. The FMD will cease to apply if there'south no deal, leaving the UK with no access to the EU database except in Northern Ireland, where the directive will continue to utilize.

Interpol, Europol, and national medicines agencies seize many falsified medicines and shut hundreds of illegal websites every twelvemonth. Indeed, a study published past Europol's Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) in 2022 estimates that counterfeit medicines cost the European union pharmaceutical sector more EUR x billion (US$ 11.3 billion) annually in lost revenue.

The IHMA said the Covid-19 crisis is also fueling the counterfeit problem – criminals are taking advantage of the pandemic to market and distribute fake pharmaceuticals, spurred on by increased demand and a shortage of bones drugs and medicines. Illicit goods, or those with a vague provenance, tin threaten people's lives every bit well as damage corporate reputations and investment in companies and their products, research besides indicates.

The IHMA has echoed calls by the National Pharmacy Clan that in the interests of patient safety, at that place should be "…the continuation of an anti-apocryphal system. Nevertheless, not (ane) necessarily governed by the rules of FMD."

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has also voiced its concern over the issue, pressing the government to put 'robust plans' to ensure apocryphal medicines don't enter the supply chain.

Dr Paul Dunn, chair of the IHMA, said, "Failure to secure a Brexit deal could leave the door broad open up to crafty criminals, who are infiltrating global supply channels, deploying scams and counterfeiting measures to trick consumers and damage manufacturers. Furthermore, items such every bit falsified medicines and drugs bought online pose a terrible threat and endanger lives.

"Whether or not the government introduces new measures, the latest track and trace holographic systems remain a fast, constructive frontline security device in the boxing to protect confronting whatever post Brexit threats and keep medicines – and people – every bit safe every bit possible.

"Holograms tin be effective in the frontline fight against counterfeiters and fraudsters, protecting brands and profits. Those involved in the supply chain are reassured by their presence on products, recognizing the security and financial benefits provided."

The use of well-designed and properly deployed authentication solutions, as advocated by the ISO12931 standard, enables examiners to verify a legitimate product'south authenticity, differentiating information technology from fake products coming from counterfeiting hot spots in Asia and eastern Europe.

Even those that acquit a 'fake' authentication feature tin can be distinguished from the genuine particular if that detail carries a carefully thought-out authentication solution.

The IHMA  is made upwardly of more than 90 of the world's leading hologram companies. Members include the leading producers and converters of holograms for banknote security, anti-counterfeiting, make protection, packaging, graphics, and other commercial applications around the world, and actively cooperate to maintain the highest professional, security, and quality standards.

Commodity issued on behalf of the IHMA past Mitchell Halton Watson

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