Counterfeiting Conference

Counterfeiting in Algeria has become a devastating phenomenon in just a few years. Counterfeit products are rampant in the market. Almost all fields are affected.

Given the magnitude of this global scourge to which Algeria has been brutally confronted, the World Trade Center Algiers is organizing the 7th edition of the conference on counterfeiting in Algeria, dedicated to the counterfeiting of pharmaceutical products. A meeting based on both a technical and operational approach, in collaboration with the relevant public institutions, specialized international organizations, and experts in the field.

The pharmaceutical market, like any other commodity, has found its place in globalization. The free movement has paved the way, of which the loss of control over pharmaceutical regulation is one of the major dangers. In this newly created environment, the concept of counterfeit drugs has emerged, a concept generally referred to as fraudulent intent. The WHO in its definition notes: "the counterfeit drug may be composed of products containing the correct active ingredient, a wrong active ingredient, products containing no active ingredient, or a product in counterfeit packaging." Counterfeit products predominantly affect developing countries due to the lack of pharmaceutical regulation. It should also be noted that the factor of corruption has harmful consequences for public health. The absence of pharmacovigilance in certain African countries does not allow for the reporting of accidents as well as the very significant economic impact related to the use of these counterfeit medications. If it is true that this problem is major in developing countries, it remains that developed countries are beginning to feel these effects, with the internet being the avenue used by these counterfeiters.

We are talking today about 800,000 deaths per year, a profitability 20 to 45 times higher than drug trafficking, 10% of counterfeit drugs worldwide, and more than 60% in some countries.

Ref: According to the journal: Réseau Médicaments et Développement (ReMeD), No. 34.