Counterfeit Drugs a Threat to Russia’s Security
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs on the global market and easy availability via online pharmacies is an increasing problem. The makers of counterfeit drugs have enjoyed and profited from loopholes in a system designed to deliver healthy medicines to those in need. The rising cost of prescription medications and the ubiquitous presence of online and overseas pharmacies means more people than ever are threatened by these counterfeiting operations.
The problem of counterfeit medicine is an acute and burning problem in Russia. It has even become a cause of serious concern for both the government as well as for physicians, medical experts and patients. According to some polls, about 40 percent of Russian citizens fear that they are taking either counterfeit medicine or medicine of poor quality. According to the estimate of experts, the share of counterfeit medicine on the Russian market is a staggering 12 percent of the total production.
By Alexei Peskov
10 June 2008