Parliament Approves European Directive Against Falsified Medicines

The European Parliament today approved a new law aimed at preventing falsified medicines from entering the legal supply chain, according to a Parliament press release. The law needs to be formally approved by the Council of Ministers.

The new law will cover internet sales and introduces new safety and traceability measures. According to the release, a “huge growth” in falsified medicines has been witnessed since 2005, with an estimated one percent of products sold in to the European public through the legal supply chain being falsified, according to the release. The law is expected to be posted soon to a link provided in the press release.

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) said in a release that “the vote of the European Parliament is an important move in achieving greater protection for patients from counterfeit medicines,” in particular a new tracking system.

Brian Ager, director general of EFPIA, said the “implementation of the directive will require the involvement of all key stakeholders – manufacturers, pharmacists, and wholesalers but also patients – to ensure success.”

The European Generic medicines Association (EGA) in a press release welcomed the vote but urged that the requirements in the law not affect low-priced, low-risk generics. They also emphasised supervision of the pharmaceutical supply chain to ensure high quality.