Counterfeit medicines and food supplements in Europe

Counterfeit medicines and food supplements are a growing threat to public health worldwide. In his thesis entitled "La contrefaçon des médicaments et des compléments alimentaires en Europe et dans le monde", defended in 2023 at the University of Rennes 1, Vincent Bézié provides an in-depth analysis of this worrying phenomenon, and suggests ways of stepping up the fight against this fraud.

Vincent Bézié's thesis work

Vincent Bézié points out that the counterfeiting of medicines and food supplements is a global problem, generating several hundred billion dollars in sales every year. Unlike other consumer products, counterfeiting in the healthcare sector has serious, even fatal, consequences for patients. Counterfeit products may contain dangerous substances, incorrect dosages or be totally ineffective, compromising medical treatment and confidence in healthcare systems.

The author points out that the proliferation of online sales has facilitated the distribution of these fraudulent products. Numerous illegal websites offer medicines and dietary supplements without any controls, exposing consumers to major risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 50% of medicines purchased on unauthorized online sites are counterfeit.

Counterfeit medicines and food supplements: a real threat

Counterfeit medicines often include treatments for serious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, cancer and other infections. In developing countries, the proportion of counterfeit medicines can be as high as 30%, exacerbating public health problems and contributing to treatment resistance.

Dietary supplements are not immune to this scourge. Growing demand for these products, often perceived as natural and beneficial, has led to an increase in counterfeit products on the market. These products are often placed on the market without any control by the authorities, and may contain dangerous substances such as heavy metals or undeclared active ingredients, endangering the health of consumers.

Measures to combat drug counterfeiting

To counter this threat, several initiatives have been taken at international level:

• Strengthening legal frameworks: The Council of Europe's MEDICRIME Convention criminalizes the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit medical products, providing a legal framework for international cooperation.
• Traceability systems: Security features such as 2D barcodes and tamper-evident seals enable products to be tracked throughout the supply chain, guaranteeing their authenticity.
• International operations: Coordinated actions, such as INTERPOL's Pangea operations, target illegal online distribution networks, resulting in the seizure of millions of counterfeit products and the closure of illicit websites.
• Raising public awareness: Informing consumers about the dangers of buying medicines and dietary supplements outside official channels is essential to reducing demand for counterfeit products.

In conclusion, Vincent Bézié's thesis highlights the scale and seriousness of counterfeit drugs and dietary supplements. A global approach, combining legal, technological and educational measures, is essential to effectively combat this scourge and protect public health.