The Lebanese Pharmaceutical Importers Association (LPIA) claims the import of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and the illegal import of registered products have increased over the last few months. “We have no estimation of the volume,” said LPIA president Armand Phares, “but several of our members have witnessed more incidents of illegal imports and-or counterfeit products on the market.”
It’s estimated that about 6% of the $230 billion pharmaceutical market worldwide includes counterfeit medicines. Generally, the percentage is higher in developing countries, yet surprisingly a recent documentary on France’s TV5 showed that in the USA an estimated 15% is counterfeit. In Lebanon, according to Phares, “it’s definitely far below the world average.” Still he called upon importers and pharmacists to remain vigilant and to inform authorities and the public whenever they come across smuggled or bogus products.
Preventing the import of such products is the duty of the customs authorities. But at the same time it is the task of the inspection department at the ministry of health, as well as the Order of Pharmacists, to conduct “heavy controls,” so that products are located and people dealing with them arrested and judged.
Meanwhile, to make illegal imports more difficult, the LPIA has decided to introduce a special hologram, which will be added to import forms. By law, a pharmaceuticals importer must put two stickers on the outer pack of a medicine, one indicating the registration number at the ministry of health, the other indicating the price in Lebanese pounds.
“Having noticed that this system can be easily falsified,” Phares said, “the LPIA has decided to introduce a 3D hologram showing both the LPIA and the importer’s name, which is very difficult, if not impossible to falsify. This will take a few months to implement, but will give very strong protection to patients.’
