Empowering Pharmacies: FIP's Call to Safeguard Against Fake Medicines

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) helps countries self-assess the adequacy of their regulatory systems to prevent pharmacies from intervening to avoid the harm of low-quality and counterfeit (SF) medicines. It was developed by the FIP Regulatory Authority Advisory Group and covers the roles led by pharmacists and the responsibilities of Ministries of Health."FIP is seriously concerned about the ever-increasing threat to public health from SF drugs. We are aware that in some countries legislation on the manufacture and distribution of medical products or enforcement is either non-existent or ineffective. FIP has spoken out against SF medical products for more than 20 years and this self-assessment tool is another mechanism that reduces the impact of SF drugs on patient care," said Brett Simmonds, Chair of the FIP Regulatory Advisory Group. Quality and Counterfeit Medicines, as per pharmabiz.Regulatory Self-Assessment Tool " aims to facilitate the detection, quarantine and removal of SF medicines from the supply chain through appropriate supporting legislation. "If deficiencies or legislative gaps are identified, the points contained in this document can be adopted or adapted and become part of the legal framework to combat the entry of substandard and counterfeit medicines into the supply chain.The tool can also be used as an educational resource to raise awareness of the risks and harms of substandard and counterfeit pharmaceutical products among all healthcare providers and health policy makers, and can be incorporated into undergraduate and professional programs. Ministries of health, national regulatory authorities, pharmacists and pharmaceutical groups must play an important role in detecting and preventing SF drugs from reaching patients and the public. In addition, other relevant competent authorities and institutions must act to protect the public and educate health professionals and all actors in the supply chain about the risks of SF drugs, how to identify them and how to protect the integrity of the supply chain, Simmonds said.