Counterfeiting is one of the biggest issues relating to brand protection that consumer product companies and brand owners face.
However, counterfeiting in the pharmaceutical industry raises further issues. In addition to brand dilution and damage to public perception, these could lead to potential liability for manufacturers and others in the supply chain. Counterfeit drugs have been described as ‘the perfect crime’ – if the patient’s condition improves, no-one is the wiser; if the patient’s condition fails to improve, then this will be attributed to their condition rather than to the medication. By the time counterfeiting is suspected, the evidence will usually have been consumed and packaging disposed of.
