WASHINGTON (June 17, 2019) – The Partnership for Safe Medicines and the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), two public health advocacy groups focused on patient safety and the secure pharmaceutical supply chain, released an infographic today to call attention to the human toll that counterfeit medicines take on children in low and middle income countries.

A peer-reviewed article in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene identifies the economic and human impact of counterfeit medicines. The article, authored by top-flight researchers from the National Institutes of Health, University of California – San Diego School of Medicine, US Pharmacopeial Convention, Pfizer’s Global Security Team, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, estimates that counterfeit rates are as high as 10% of all medicines in low and middle income countries and put a specific estimate on child fatalities.

“It’s a tragedy that 300,000 children die annually because of the greed of counterfeiters,” said Libby Baney, partner at Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting and senior advisor to ASOP Global. “Even worse is the fact that many of these senseless fatalities could be avoided by cracking down on the illegal online pharmacies that peddle dangerous and deadly fake medicines.”

Along with estimating the death toll of counterfeits, the paper also confirms the fact that counterfeit medicine is a driver of antimicrobial resistance. “Counterfeits are often made with a partial dose of active ingredient in order to fool simple chemical tests” said Shabbir Imber Safdar, Executive Director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines. “Even worse than failing to treat your disease, these counterfeits are breeding a generation of super diseases that we don’t have treatments for. American policymakers need to understand this threat and take steps to strengthen the existing supply chain to protect us.”

Click here see a copy of the infographic or read the paper at PSM’s website.

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ABOUT ASOP GLOBAL

The Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP Global), a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. with activities in U.S., Canada, Europe, India, Latin America and Asia, is dedicated to protecting consumers around the world, ensuring safe access to medications, and combating illegal online drug sellers. ASOP Global has an expansive membership including non-profit public health organizations, international members, pharmacy members, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers.