Check My Med - Participatory Science

Counterfeit medicines represent a growing threat to public health worldwide. Once affecting mainly emerging and developing countries, the rapid growth of online commerce means that no country is immune to this scourge.

Online pharmacy sites have multiplied, some of them illegal. They are one of the factors driving the exponential growth of the counterfeit and illegal drugs market, and this is not to the benefit of patients.

The available data compiled by national and international authorities essentially concern the tip of the iceberg, including the results of seizures made by national and international customs and law enforcement agencies.

Independent research is essential to accurately assess the quality of medicines available on the market, whether they come from a pharmacy, a supermarket or an online purchase.

To meet this public health challenge, Pharmanalyse has set up "Check My Med", the first participatory science campaign in the pharmaceutical field. Participatory science, involving collaboration between scientists and citizens, is a powerful and indispensable lever in the fight against counterfeit drugs.

What is the "Check My Med" participatory science campaign?

Pharmanalyse is organizing a campaign to mobilize the public to carry out a study on the quality of medicines and obtain a picture of the reality of medicines on the market. Public participation is essential in order to obtain information on medicines from the various distribution channels, both legal and illegal.

This information is fundamental to a better understanding of the scale of the phenomenon of counterfeit and illegal medicines. It is now necessary to establish a precise picture of the situation, which the authorities are only partially aware of.

How can I take part in the "Check My Med" campaign?

• Each participant orders this analysis and sends a drug to be analyzed anonymously, along with precise information about the drug and its origin.
• Our laboratory analyzes the drug to confirm the nature of the active ingredient and determine its quantity.
• Results and information are presented in a summary report available to the public and forwarded to national and international authorities.
• Each participant receives the results of his or her drug analysis.

How long does it take to complete analyses?

Medicines received as part of the "Check My Med" campaign are stored in optimal conditions. They are then analyzed in series within a year of receipt. Once the analysis has been carried out, each participant will quickly receive the results of the analysis by email.

How much does it cost to take part in the "Check My Med" campaign?

Drug analysis is costly in terms of equipment and human resources. For this reason, a contribution is requested to finance research in pharmaceutical science:

• The purchase of reference standards to identify and quantify active ingredients
• The development of precise and reliable methodologies for the analysis of active ingredients in medicines
• Analysis of medicines received as part of the "Check My Med" participatory campaign
• Study of drug analysis results
• Compiling data and information on the drugs analyzed
• Drawing up the annual summary report of the "Check My Med" participative campaign
• Communication and distribution of the annual summary report

Why take part in the "Check My Med" campaign?

The quality of medicines is essential to people's health. Counterfeit and illegal medicines represent a real risk. Today, every citizen can get involved in the "Check My Med" campaign, which aims to establish a precise map of the quality of medicines on the market.

Which drugs are analyzed in the "Check My Med" campaign?

All drugs for therapeutic use can be sent to Pharmanalyse exept :

• Active ingredients composed of amino acids (proteins)
• Monoclonal antibodies (the suffix -mab is generally used to identify them)

The participative campaign does not concern dietary supplements.