Counterfeit medicines

On 26 October 2009, the Wellcome Trust and the American Pharmaceutical Group (APG) held an Opinion Formers' conference on counterfeit medicines to help raise awareness and take forward this important issue.

The event brought together speakers and delegates from a wide range of backgrounds, including public health, enforcement, industry and regulatory sectors; and focused on issues and actions relevant to both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries. The day concluded with a 'roundtable' session chaired by Andrew Jack, Pharmaceuticals Correspondent at the Financial Times, to discuss views raised during presentations given in the morning to define actions for the future.

Conference report and briefing Opinion Formers' Conference on Counterfeit Medicines: Perspectives and action

A summary report has been produced to encapsulate the main themes and actions of the day.

Download report [PDF 5.7MB]

Interviews

A number of speakers from the event offer their perspectives on counterfeit medicines and talk about their contribution to tackling the problem.

Targeting counterfeiters Aline Plancon, INTERPOL, shares her experience of counterfeit medicines in low- and middle-income countries from her perspective as an enforcement officer.

Uncovering the origins of counterfeits Paul Newton, Head of the Laos arm of the Trust's Major Overseas Programmes in South-east Asia, discusses his research in the region and shows examples of counterfeit packaging.

Combating counterfeit medicines Roger Bate, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, talks about his experience of the counterfeit medicines problem from his research and health policy work.

Presentations

A selection of the presentations given during the day.

Making a killing: The deadly implications of substandard and counterfit drugs [PowerPoint 3.54MB]
Roger Bate, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Washington DC

The evidence base [PowerPoint 41.7MB]
Paul Newton, Head Wellcome Trust - Mahosot Hospital - Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Collaboration, Laos

Counterfeits: A view from the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) countries [PowerPoint 844KB]
Brian Elliott, Executive Director of the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) Secretariat

The anti-counterfeiting medicines programme of the World Health Organization [PowerPoint 4.48MB]
Hans Hogerzeil, Director of Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies, World Health Organization

Kenya, counterfeits and less developed countries [PowerPoint 440KB]
Julian Harris, International Policy Network

Pharmaceutical industry perspective [PowerPoint 2.48MB]
Ron Guido, Vice-President of Global Brand Protection, Johnson & Johnson