Counterfeit drug seizures throughout the European Union (EU) increased 500% in 2005, which is apparently the last year for which there are contemporary figures. This story in PharmTech doesn’t say whether the EU is simply getting better at making these busts or if the seizure rate is up because the amount of counterfeiting going on has risen sharply. But writer Angie Drakulich does make reference to, and provides links for, several so-called back stories. In one, Report from Europe, it is clear people are worried Europe is becoming the counterfeit medicines assembly line capital of the world. Not good.

But GS1 UK is prominently featured in Ms. Drakulich’s report. One reason for that is because, as mentioned here in earlier posts, GS1 UK completed the EU’s Pharma Traceability Pilot program just a few months ago. But it is also clear the EU is looking to GS1 traceability solutions to further reduce counterfeit medicines in the supply chain. In other words, by my reading of the story, GS1 UK’s involvement isn’t coincidental… their pilot wasn’t done just because GS1 UK had something to prove. The UK and European Commissions, working with GS1 UK and others, are driving the initiative. That makes the issue of compliance for anyone making and selling drugs throughout Europe all the more real; all the more urgent.

Related posts:

  1. GS1 Labeling UK Pilot, Funded by EU, Validates Pharma Track and Trace
  2. Fighting OxyContin Counterfeiting and Diversion with RFID and GS1 Labeling Software
  3. GS1 Barcode Country Designation Not a Certain Identifier of COO…? Oh Oh!
  4. GS1 Completes Transport and Logistics Phase 2 Pilot Program
  5. Musings On GS1 Compliance, Country Of Origin In Barcodes, And Untrustworthy Suppliers