Counterfeit Medicines Increase With Covid-19

Counterfeiting of drugs and other products related to the coronavirus pandemic is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Interpol recently made impressive foreclosures.

The coronavirus pandemic has many consequences. One of them is the significant explosion of counterfeit medicines and other products to protect against Covid-19.

Unauthorized antivirals but also counterfeit masks and poor-quality hydro-alcoholic gels were seized during a operation in 90 countries against the illegal online sale of medicines and other pharmaceutical products. Among other things, this arrested 121 malicious people and confiscated more than 13 million euros in potentially dangerous products.

When criminals take advantage of the coronavirus

With the current health crisis, ill-intentioned people have seen the opportunity to get money quickly. Many criminals have not hesitated to take advantage of the high demand for drugs and pharmaceuticals.

During the operation called "Pangea XIII", authorities have found more than 2,000 banner ads related to the coronavirus. Counterfeit surgical masks were the best selling medical device online. More than 34,000 of them were seized as well as "corona-sprayers", of "anti-coronavirus packs " and other pseudo-drugs. But that would only reveal the tip of the iceberg regarding this new upward trend in counterfeiting.

In a statement, Jürgen Stock, Secretary General of Interpol, said: "Once again, Operation Pangea proves that criminal gangs will stop at nothing to make money. The illegal trade in such products in times of health crisis shows that they really only have to do with the well-being of people and their lives. "

Compared to a similar operation carried out in 2018, "Pangea XIII " shows an increase of about 18% in seizures of unauthorized antiviral drugs and a more than 100% increase in unauthorized chloroquine seizures. This antimalarial drug is a track increasingly favored by researchers as a remedy against Covid-19.

Worrying figures

From March 3 to 10, 2020, the authorities of the countries participating in the operation inspected more than 326,000 packages, of which more than 48,000 were seized by customs and regulatory authorities.

Almost 4.4 million illicit pharmaceuticals have been confiscated worldwide. Among them, the authorities found drugs against erectile dysfunction, anti-cancer drugs, hypnotic and sedative agents, anabolic steroids, analgesics, nervous system agents, dermatological agents and vitamins.

Over 37,000 unauthorized and counterfeit medical devices were also seized. The vast majority were surgical masks and self-test kits (HIV and glucose).

Finally, more than 2,500 websites, pages on social networks or online advertisements for illicit pharmaceutical products have been closed. This then halted the activities of 37 criminal groups around the world.

Warn the public of the danger

Medicines and medical devices are not ordinary consumer goods. Their sale and supply are strictly controlled. Counterfeits are particularly likely to endanger health.

As part of the operation "Pangea XIII", Interpol member countries have also taken the initiativewarn the public of the danger of this new and growing trend in counterfeiting. Videos, brochures but also interventions in hospitals and schools have been used to raise awareness of the dangers of purchasing pharmaceutical products from unregulated online sources.

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Video by Clemence chevallet

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