Supporters

Who is behind this initiative?

Led by Pfizer, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, this campaign has gained the support of the UK government regulator, the national pharmacy association and patient representatives. Between them they hope to make people more aware of the dangers of counterfeit medicine.

The range of organisations involved, from patient groups to government, shows how important it is for us all to work together against the dangers of counterfeit medicines. Some are raising awareness; some are working with police and authorities to crack the criminal rings responsible; some are monitoring goods transported into the UK; some are in labs doing forensic analysis to find out just what's in the fakes; some are trying to strengthen legislation to make it more difficult for the criminals; some are making medicine packaging more difficult to copy. Working together, we can make sure that patients get appropriate treatments - make sure that you have a prescription, and make sure you get your medicines from a legitimate source.

Pfizer
www.pfizer.co.uk

“We are delighted to be working once more in collaboration with leading patient organisations, the MHRA and the RPSGB to get the UK public to think twice about bypassing the healthcare system and exposing themselves to the threats posed by counterfeit medicine.

This current campaign is deliberately hard-hitting to encourage discussion around this important issue, and forms part of a wider public education launched by Pfizer one year ago to ensure people understand the risks they are taking when bypassing the healthcare system and purchasing medicines from illicit sources.”

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
www.mhra.gov.uk

“Today's culture of 'self-diagnosis' and 'self-medication' has created a society who purchase medicines online, without a prescription. There is a very real danger of obtaining a counterfeit when someone purchases prescription only medicines, without a prescription, over the internet. People underestimate the serious risks associated with this behaviour, if a medicine requires a prescription, it is for a good reason. The people behind these illicit websites are unqualified and unprofessional, and purely in the business of profiteering at the expense of people's health. If someone feels their medicine might be fake, that is if it looks, feels or smells different, then we strongly encourage them to report it to us via the dedicated 24-hour anti-counterfeiting hotline on 020 7084 2701, or by email to counterfeit@mhra.gsi.gov.uk.”

The Patients Association
www.patients-association.org.uk

“This is an important campaign and one we are pleased to continue to support. Ignorance can be dangerous when it comes to counterfeit medicines. People would be shocked if they really knew what was involved in manufacturing these drugs. It's vital we ensure people know what the risks are. Rat poison, boric acid, lead based road paint-it's horrifying. They can also contain too little or too much active ingredient - some contain no active ingredient at all. People simply aren't aware of the risks involved when bypassing the healthcare system and purchasing medicines via unregulated websites. These fake medicines can cause harm to patients and may lead to death.”

HEART UK
www.heartuk.org.uk

“It's frightening to learn that people would be happy to consider bypassing the healthcare system to get hold of life saving or life extending medicine. We're pleased to support a campaign that raises the profile of the dangers posed when bypassing the healthcare system and potentially engaging with the counterfeit medicines trade. It is terrifying to imagine the unthinkable damage that counterfeiters could be causing to patients if we don't stop them.”

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB)
www.rpsgb.org

“Pharmacists are very concerned about the increase in fake or counterfeit medicines. As expert professionals in medicines and medicines use, we know only too well that fake medication does not work and that it can cause harm. Stay safe by ensuring that you always get your prescriptions dispensed at a registered UK pharmacy. If you want to buy medicines on line, always check that you are dealing with a genuine pharmacy. Don't go on face value - some of the illegal sites look very professional but supply dangerous fakes. Check our website for a list of sites that have been awarded the RPSGB's internet pharmacy logo so that you can be sure that you are dealing with a UK registered pharmacy supplying genuine medicines. This campaign is important. We want the UK to be the safest place to obtain medicines.

See www.rpsgb.org internet pharmacy logo for a list of sites displaying the internet pharmacy logo.”