WS 05 - Falsified and Sub-Standard Medicines

Falsified and substandard medicines are a global problem that endangers the health and lives of patients. The WHO estimates that about ten percent of all medicines in low- and middle-income countries are falsified or substandard, and in some regions the situation is even much worse. High-quality medicines are essential to protect patients and prevent treatment failure. Risk reduction measures focus on identifying and eliminating falsified and substandard medicines in pharmaceutical markets.

The purpose of this session is to first give an overview and to analyse the scope of the global problem. Practical and locally appropriate options to reduce the risk of falsified and substandard medicines entering the market will then be identified and discussed between different stakeholder groups. Another focus is on measures to identify such medicines and ways to eliminate them.