Aegate News

Aegate Endorses European Commission’s Industry Wide Drive To Address Counterfeit Drug Problem

London, 12th May 2008 - The European Commission's public consultation to combat counterfeit medicines for human use is long overdue, but extremely commendable according to patient safety communications company Aegate. With the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimating that counterfeit drug sales will reach $75 billion by 2010[1], addressing the issue has never been more critical. The move by the Commission reinforces research published by leading analyst firm Frost & Sullivan, commissioned by Aegate earlier this month, which identified the need for a collective approach to combat counterfeit drugs.

The consultation, which closed on Friday 9th May, asked for input and ideas from stakeholders and interested parties on amending the regulatory framework for medicinal products in the hope that a standardised solution can be implemented across Europe. Similarly, the Frost and Sullivan report - Working Together on Mass Serialisation: Whose Responsibility is Ensuring Patient Safety - concluded that there is too much talk and not enough decisive action being taken by the industry to harness this growing problem. Frost & Sullivan recognised that only a proactive and sustained approach from both the pharmaceutical industry and regulators will truly make a difference to patient safety at a European level.

Whilst the Frost & Sullivan report applauds the individual stakeholder efforts that have been made to date to combat counterfeit drugs, it is the push from organisations like the European Commission to push through collective action that Frost & Sullivan recognises will make the real difference.

The report cites the process of mass serialisation - where a unique number is assigned to each saleable unit (pallet, case or individual package of drugs) - as key to a European authentication approach that can validate drugs at critical points in the pharmaceutical supply chain.

The most critical point being, in Aegate's view, the pharmacist, who is at the centre of patient care and is the last professional to see and advise the patient and inspect the medicine before it is consumed. An extra level of protection can be achieved specifically at the point of dispense, enabling pharmacists to offer their patients the assurance that the drugs they are receiving have been validated and are safe for use.

"Aegate fully supports the Commission's efforts to drive legislation that will ultimately protect European patients and we hope that these proposals, together with the Frost & Sullivan report and recommendations for standardised coding practices from industry representatives such as EFPIA, will help to elevate the issue further. However, to really address the counterfeit drug problem moving forward, I would encourage industry leaders to work together and to also take note of market best practice where countries including Greece, Belgium and Italy are already mass serialising their medicines as well as working alongside Aegate to protect patients from the risk of counterfeit drugs. Drawing on these best practice examples will help to define clear steps for formulating anti-counterfeiting strategies and guarantee the safety of patients throughout Europe," comments Gary Noon, CEO of Aegate.

The simplicity and effectiveness of an authentication service that achieves direct communications between each end of the supply chain is just one of the reasons why an impressive 23 of the leading pharmaceutical companies are now working alongside Aegate across Europe in its fight to assure the quality and safety of medicines that are dispensed to patients.

Aegate has just announced that it has further strengthened its hold on the European market with the launch of its service in Italy. Working with four software companies - CSF, Newline, PharmaService and Farma3 - Aegate will be able to provide their fully integrated service to approximately 6,000 pharmacies (34 per cent) within the coming months. Aegate also has plans for further growth across Europe in 2008

[1] http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs275/en/index.html