title: Spurious and counterfeit drugs: a growing industry in the developing world.
abstract: Spread of spurious/counterfeit/substandard drugs is a modern day menace which has been recognised internationally, especially so in developing countries. The problem assumes added significance in view of rapid globalisation. The market of spurious and counterfeit drugs is a well-organised, white collar crime. Poverty, high cost of medicines, lack of an official supply chain, legislative lacunae, easy accessibility to computerised printing technology, ineffective law enforcement machinery, and light penalties provide the counterfeiters with an enormous economic incentive without much risk. The consequences of the use of such medicines may vary from therapeutic failure to the occurrence of serious adverse events and even death. Proper drug quality monitoring, enforcement of laws and legislation, an effective and efficient regulatory environment, and awareness and vigilance on part of all stakeholders can help tackle this problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Chandigarh, India. csgautam_06@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Gautam
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Utreja
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Singal
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004348:Drug Labeling; D004349:Drug Packaging; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000592:standards* / Q000600:supply & distribution
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations