Counterfeiting and the Developing World

The industrialized world might look at the developing world as a source of counterfeit crime, and that perception has some justification. After all, industry in the developing world has little capital for research and development, and the cheaper and more lucrative (if unlawful) route to development is often through counterfeiting goods and impinging on intellectual property rights.

But there is another side of the story, particularly in the realm of pharmaceutical products. In a region where up to 30% of the pharmaceuticals are counterfeit, citizens of third world countries suffer greatly when fake medicines enter their own health product supply chain. Nobody in these countries is immune from the risks of counterfeit drugs. For example, this article cites that the head of drug quality in Nigeria, Dr Dora Akunyili, suffered when her own sister died as a result of taking a counterfeit drug. But with weak central governments and the backing of organized crime, a successful effort is likely to be based on international cooperation.

Check out the article for an informative look at the issue.