The escalating danger posed by counterfeit drugs to public safety is grave and rising. Controlling the business is challenging, so the exact scope of the issue is unclear, but data suggests that it is no longer just lifestyle medications that are pursued. In fact, the worldwide trade in illegal drugs is a massive and profitable criminal enterprise worth USD 4.4 billion, which draws the participation of international organized crime organizations (USD 11 million, 2022). Consumers self-medicating with fake items have had adverse health consequences, including deaths (O’Hagan & Garlington, 2018). By providing counterfeiters with a vast customer base and few risks, the internet facilitates trade. According to O’Hagan and Garlington (2018), the dark net inside enables operations between producer, distributor, and customer to be conducted anonymously. Therefore, the online drug trade is a scourge that has raised due to an increase in internet services that has since enhanced dealers to communicate globally and provide cheaper alternatives online.
With the rise of the global economy and the accessibility of the internet, it is now possible to build a solid and safe framework for counterfeit activities. Despite the difficulty of measuring the illegal commodities trade, the World Economic Forum estimated in 2011 that it accounted for 7 to 10 percent of the world economy (O’Hagan & Garlington, 2018). Of late, pharmaceutical fraud has considerably increased. However, the size of the market as a whole is uncertain; it is estimated that 10% of pharmaceuticals marketed globally are counterfeit, with the frequency of these drugs in specific regions of Africa and Asia estimated to exceed 70% (O’Hagan & Garlington, 2018). Even if these numbers are estimations, it is clear that the bogus pharmaceutical sector is booming and seems to generate more revenue than a single typical illegal substance. Without definitive legislation, the annual amount of $200 billion will likely continue to increase (O’Hagan & Garlington, 2018). The unlawful threat most impacts the United States and the UK. Due to their handy location, which is ideal for the trade. For instance, in the United Kingdom, counterfeiters exploit the country as a transit route from Asia to reach Western European customers. Conversely, in the US, it is an optimum market for end users; due to rising prices and consumption, the profit potential in the nation is enormous. Troublingly, there is a substantial association between the rise in the sale and distribution of fake pharmaceuticals and the development of antimicrobial resistance. This may eventually lead to increased expenses and burden on the healthcare system, as well as the possible ineffectiveness of critical medications.
One of the key characteristics of online hotspots for the sale of counterfeit medicines is the use of anonymous or fake identities by sellers who often operate on a global scale. In this sense, this makes it difficult for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to track down and shut down these operations. In addition, these hotspots often use sophisticated marketing techniques, such as search engine optimization and social media advertising, to reach potential customers (Sweileh, 2021). Despite the fact that some internet pharmacies are reputable, a rising number of them are not vetted and offer harmful counterfeit goods.
Another characteristic of online hotspots for counterfeit medicines is the use of fake or misleading information to promote the products. This can include false claims about the safety and effectiveness of the medicines, as well as fake customer testimonials and certifications from regulatory agencies (Sweileh, 2021). On the same note, these online hotspots often vulnerable populations, such as those with chronic illnesses or limited access to healthcare. These individuals may be more likely to purchase medicines online, and they may be less able to detect that the products they are purchasing are counterfeit. Due to the nature of the internet, it is easy for these rogue pharmacies to operate from one country and sell their products to customers in another. This makes it difficult for law enforcement to track down and shut down these operations.
One response to the problem of online counterfeit medicine sales is for governments and law enforcement agencies to crack down on these operations. This can involve shutting down the websites where counterfeit medicines are sold and arresting and prosecuting the individuals behind them. In some cases, governments may also work with international partners to tackle these operations on a global level. For instance, as of November 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) had published 20 global medical product advisories and several local cautions and given additional expertise in over 100 situations (World, 2018). WHO has educated regulatory professionals in 141 Member States to identify subpar and counterfeit medical items in the WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (World, 2018). Furthermore, WHO also collaborates with various world’s top procurement agencies.
Another response is for legitimate pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies to protect their customers and educate them about the dangers of purchasing medicines from unlicensed sources. This can involve implementing stricter controls on the sale of medications and providing information to consumers about how to identify legitimate pharmacies and avoid being scammed. Furthermore, it is vital to use technological solutions to help detect and disrupt these activities. For example, some companies are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and block websites and other online venues that are known to sell counterfeit medicines.
One example of a successful response to the online trade in counterfeit medicines is the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Operation Pangea. This annual international law enforcement operation targets rogue online pharmacies and illicit websites selling fake or unapproved medicines. Since its inception in 2008, Operation Pangea has resulted in the seizure of millions of dollars worth of fake medicines and the shutdown of hundreds of rogue websites. In addition, there are a number of organizations that are working to combat the online trade in counterfeit medicines. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) has established the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT), which brings together governments, law enforcement agencies, and the pharmaceutical industry to tackle the problem of counterfeit medicines.
Similarly, other approaches were convened by the international community. For example, WHO created the Global Surveillance and Monitoring System in 2013 to urge nations to report occurrences of defective and fraudulent medical goods in an organized and methodical manner (World, 2018). As a result, it contributes to a more accurate and verified evaluation of the issue. The system offers technical assistance in times of emergency, connects occurrences across nations and regions, and produces WHO medical product warnings. In addition, they collect a corpus of verified data to more precisely indicate the magnitude, size, and impact caused by inferior and counterfeit medical items and identify the vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and trends.
In conclusion, the online trade in counterfeit medicines is a growing problem that poses significant risks to public health. The use of anonymous or fake identities, sophisticated marketing techniques, and fake or misleading information are some of the key characteristics of online hotspots for these products. Existing responses to this problem include efforts by law enforcement and regulatory agencies to shut down rogue pharmacies and other illicit websites, as well as education campaigns to inform the public about the dangers of buying medicine online from unverified sources.
References
USD 11 million in illicit medicines seized in INTERPOL operation targeting illicit global health products. (2022). Interpol.int. Web.
Sweileh, W. M. (2021). Substandard and falsified medical products: Bibliometric analysis and mapping of scientific research. Globalization and Health, 17(1). Web.
O’Hagan, A., & Garlington, A. (2018). Counterfeit drugs and the online pharmaceutical trade, a threat to public safety. Foresic Research & Criminology International Journal, 6(3). Web.
World. (2018). Substandard and falsified medical products. World Health Organization (WHO). Web.