FAKE DRUGS - BOOM PUMMELS PHARMA INDUSTRY

Fake pharmaceuticals are continuing to flood into clinics and hospitals across Asia despite monitored regulations in China and India, when suppliers crossing the border to less-regulated countries. Counterfeiters are moving across certain less regulated locations in Southeast Asia to sustain the trade. Pharmaceutical industry is committed and thriving to sustain and secure the legitimate supply chain. Given the complexity of the supply chain, this is an essential, but laborious effort that requires an efficient, multi-faceted strategy. A holistic approach comprising the use of concealed and unconcealed anti-counterfeiting features, a well-regulated, secure supply chain and appropriate laws and penalties to deter and punish counterfeiters is necessary to provide maximum patient protection.

- Hithaishi C Bhaskar

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the world and with the global rush in the development and distribution of vaccines, criminal groups and unscrupulous enterprising people have also been active in counterfeiting COVID-19-related health products. The Philippines through the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, INTERPOL National Central Bureau, Office of the President of The Philippines has received reports that South African authorities have seized hundreds of fake COVID-19 vaccines and Some 400 ampoules containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng. Further investigation by the INTERPOL revealed the presence of organized crime networks targeting COVID-19 vaccines, both physically and online. Concerned pharmaceutical companies assisted in the identification of fake vials. Criminals have been put behind bars and investigations are continuing.

According to a FDA Advisory No. 20210664 by The Philippines authorities on Public Health Warning on Fake COVID-19 Vaccines, it noted that in February 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a falsified COVID-19 vaccine in Mexico identified as “BNT162b2”, manufactured by Pfizer- BioNTech with lot number 783201. The falsified product was supplied and administered to patients outside authorized vaccination programs. The genuine manufacturer of COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 confirmed they did not manufacture the product. Laboratory analysis of the contents of the falsified products is still pending as of today. Falsified COVID-19 vaccines pose a serious risk to global public health and place an additional burden on vulnerable populations and health systems.