Cracking Down on Counterfeits: Prioritising Patient Safety

The digital world that we live in now has brought us convenience, connection and ‘on demand’ expectation, including online access to regulated healthcare providers. But the digital world also has a darker side – and this includes the rise of illegal and
counterfeit medicines.

We are deeply concerned about the huge rise in illegitimate and sometimes criminal supply networks that use social media posts, online forums and unlawful websites claiming to sell prescription-only medicines to unwary patients.

Prescription-only medicines must go through rigorous testing and evaluation before they are approved. By law, they must be prescribed by healthcare professionals (who have years of training) and dispensed by registered pharmacies or online providers (who are accountable to regulators). When using these legitimate channels, patients have assurances they are receiving real, rigorously tested medicines.

Medicines purchased on social media have none of these safety controls. It is not possible to know if it is counterfeit (fake) or legitimate medicine being sold illicitly. It may contain the wrong ingredients, contain too much, too little, or no active ingredient at all or contain other harmful ingredients. You also do not have supervision or support from a healthcare professional.

By buying a medicine from social media, you are rolling the dice with your health.

Lilly, the Patients Association, Pfizer and Theramex are committed to raising awareness of counterfeit medicines and illicit sales. We are urging the public to be aware of the right way to obtain prescription medicines, and understand the risks of taking medicines from unknown sources.

Christopher Stokes, President and General Manager, Lilly UK & Northern Europe
Rachel Power, Chief Executive, The Patients Association
John McGinley, UK Managing Director and Country President, Pfizer
Tina Backhouse, Vice President Policy, Theramex