WHO - IMPACT - Global Measures to Combat menace of spurious medicines

[Guest guest]

Dear Zeenat:

Thank you for giving this discussion a very desirable direction by citing global efforts initiated by premier health organizations like WHO and FDA towards combating the menace of spurious medicines in the shape of Rapid Alert System and Radiofrequency Identification Technique. We have thoroughly discussed the measures required at our national level to eradicate/reduce the scourge. Now it is time to go global and explore the initiatives taken worldwide against this problem. In this connection I wish to make a mention of the International Medical Products Anti-counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT), that was created in 2006 to forge international collaboration against this global challenge. So far as RFID is concerned, we need to analyze its pros

and cons vis-a-vis our own country in view of our huge annual pharmaceutical turnover and vast drug markets. It seems we have to go a long way before we can actually rely on it. Please read on:

International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce — IMPACT

Responding to the growing public health crisis of counterfeit drugs, the World Health Organization launched the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT). The taskforce, created in 2006, has been active in forging international collaboration to seek global solutions to this global challenge and in raising awareness of the dangers of counterfeit medical products. IMPACT is comprised of all 193 WHO Member States on a voluntary basis and includes international organizations, enforcement agencies, national drug regulatory authorities, customs and police organizations, non-governmental organizations, associations representing pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers, health professionals and patients’ groups. These groups have joined to improve

coordination and harmonization across and between countries so that eventually the production, trading and selling of fake medicines will cease.

IMPACT activities

International collaboration and prevention:Combating counterfeit drugs requires the participation of the public and all the stakeholders. Trade in counterfeit medicines is widespread and affects both developed and developing countries but is more prevalent in countries facing a variety of problems such as:

weak drug regulatory control and enforcement;

scarcity and/or erratic supply of basic medicines;

unregulated markets and distribution chains;

high drug prices and/or

significant price differentials.

At national level, governments, law enforcement agencies, heath professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, importers, distributors, and consumer organizations should adopt a shared responsibility in the fight against counterfeit drugs. ation between countries, especially trading partners is very useful for combating counterfeiting. ation should include the timely and appropriate exchange of information and the harmonization of measures to prevent the spread of counterfeit medicines.Guidelines

Dr. Geer M. Ishaq

Sr. Lecturer

Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences

University of Kashmir

Srinagar-190006 (J & K)

Ph: 9419970971, 9906673100

E-mail: ishaq@...

Website: http://ishaqgeer.googlepages.com

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[Guest guest]

Dear Zeenat

I was really impressed about the RFID-Radio frequency Identification Technology to track counterfeit drug products through the supply chain. I think zeenat joining this discussion has given it a new dimension.I feel Dr.Geer would also agree to this

Dr.Santosh>> Dear Zeenat:> Thank you for giving this discussion a very desirable direction by citing global efforts initiated by premier health organizations like WHO and FDA towards combating the menace of spurious medicines in the shape of Rapid Alert System and Radiofrequency Identification Technique. We have thoroughly discussed the measures required at our national level to eradicate/reduce the scourge. Now it is time to go global and explore the initiatives taken worldwide against this problem. In this connection I wish to make a mention of the International Medical Products Anti-counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT), that was created in 2006 to forge international collaboration against this global challenge. So far as RFID is concerned, we need to analyze its pros and cons vis-a-vis our own country in view of our huge annual pharmaceutical turnover and vast drug markets. It seems we have to go a long way before we can actually rely on it. Please read on: > International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce â€" IMPACT> Responding to the growing public health crisis of counterfeit drugs, the World Health Organization launched the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT). The taskforce, created in 2006, has been active in forging international collaboration to seek global solutions to this global challenge and in raising awareness of the dangers of counterfeit medical products.  IMPACT is comprised of all 193 WHO Member States on a voluntary basis and includes international organizations, enforcement agencies, national drug regulatory authorities, customs and police organizations, non-governmental organizations, associations representing pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers, health professionals and patients’ groups. These groups have joined to improve coordination and harmonization across and between countries so that eventually the production, trading and selling of fake medicines will cease. > IMPACT activities> International collaboration and prevention:> Combating counterfeit drugs requires the participation of the public and all the stakeholders.. Trade in counterfeit medicines is widespread and affects both developed and developing countries but is more prevalent in countries facing a variety of problems such as:> * weak drug regulatory control and enforcement; > * scarcity and/or erratic supply of basic medicines; > * unregulated markets and distribution chains; > * high drug prices and/or > * significant price differentials. > At national level, governments, law enforcement agencies, heath professionals, the pharmaceutical industry, importers, distributors, and consumer organizations should adopt a shared responsibility in the fight against counterfeit drugs. ation between countries, especially trading partners is very useful for combating counterfeiting. ation should include the timely and appropriate exchange of information and the harmonization of measures to prevent the spread of counterfeit medicines.Guidelines          >  > Dr. Geer M. Ishaq> Sr. Lecturer> Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences> University of Kashmir> Srinagar-190006 (J & K)> Ph: 9419970971, 9906673100> E-mail: ishaq@...> Website: http://ishaqgeer.googlepages.com > > > Meet people who discuss and share your passions. Go to http://in.promos./groups/bestof/>