Background - In Spanish  PDF  (PDF - 41Kb)

In the Americas, during the II Pan American Conference on Drug Regulatory Harmonization (1999) a panel discussion was held on medicines counterfeiting during which the WHO guidelines to combat drug counterfeiting were presented and it was concluded that:

1. Counterfeiting is a problem that exists in varying degrees in most of the countries of the region and in some countries strong measures have been taken to reduce the problem;

2. the guidelines for the development of the fight against counterfeit drugs, recently published by WHO, is a good tool that can be used by the countries;

3. most of the countries lack up-to-date legislation that would make it possible to address this crime and enforce exemplary penalties;

4. addressing the problem requires that the health authorities coordinate their actions with the police and judicial authorities and with producers and distributors, and uncontrolled proliferation of distribution channels and pharmacies in some countries can affect the existence of this crime.

In addition, it was recommended that:

a) the countries review and modernize their legislation and identify mechanisms to enforce penalties;

b) the executive committee of the network propose strategies for dissemination and promotion of the exchange of information regarding counterfeit products among countries; and

c) the development of integrated control systems in the regulatory area and other, related areas (judiciary, police, and intellectual property protection, among others) be promoted.

Mission

To promote, facilitate, and motivate implementation of proactive strategies for preventing and fighting medicines counterfeiting and thus contribute to the improvement of health care in our countries in the Americas.

Members of the Working Group for Prevention and Combat Medicines Counterfeiting

Main Members

• MERCOSUR: Tiago Lanius Rauber, Brazil (Coordinator).
• ANDEAN COMMUNITY: Marisa Papen, Peru.
• SICA: Eric Conte, Panama.
• NAFTA: Michelle Limoli, USA.
• ALIFAR: Miguel A. Maito, Argentina.
• FIFARMA: Néstor Garrido Aranda, Peru.
• Designated by PAHO: María José Sánchez, Argentina. 

Alternate Members

• MERCOSUR: María José Sánchez, Argentina.
• ANDEAN COMMUNITY: Delia Villaroel, Bolivia.
• SICA: Reynaldo Pumariega Hevia, Cuba.
• CARICOM: David Crawford.
• ALIFAR: Carmen E. Perez.

Secretariat (PAHO/WHO)

• José Luis Castro, Washington, DC.