Medicines Top Counterfeit Concern List in Europe - Consumers Call for Tougher Safety Measures

LONDON, November 19 - Research published today examining consumer opinions on counterfeit drugs
reveals that five per cent of consumers across five European countries
suspect they have received a counterfeit prescription drug and an alarming
one per cent believe they definitely have. This means that as many as 12.8
million consumers could have been exposed to counterfeit drugs in those
markets.

According to research carried out by ICM on behalf of patient safety
communications company Aegate, awareness of the phoney drugs market is
moderate in Europe with 61 per cent saying they know prescription drugs can
be faked. As a result, 79 per cent of consumers put medicine at the top of
their counterfeit concern list, far ahead of any other product. Designer
clothes and toys, which were the next concerns, fall far behind with four per
cent each.

Consumers see the fake drugs trade to be largely the responsibility of
medicines suppliers, with 45 per cent saying the manufacturer is responsible
for the fake prescription medicine trade. Thirty-one per cent say it's the
fault of the wholesaler and 30 per cent the pharmacist.

Eighty five per cent of consumers said they would feel more confident if
medicine packs contained a safety feature that enabled the pharmacist to
verify the medicine is genuine before dispensing. In addition, 90 per cent
said they would not buy drugs online if pharmacies in Europe had a tool to
authenticate prescription drugs.

Consumers also want tougher punishments. Over two thirds of consumers
believe the penalty for counterfeiting medicines should be between five and
15 years in prison, despite the current penalties being far lower - while a
fifth feel life in prison is justified.

"It is very different buying medication online to buying an item of
clothing" commented Gary Noon, CEO, Aegate. "Patients need to be encouraged
to seek medicines from their high street pharmacist who is trained and
qualified to assess their medical needs as well as the medicine. Patient
safety should be the industry's priority from the regulator, to the
manufacturer and to the pharmacist and it is clear we need to ensure the
pharmacist has the right tools in place to carry out such an important task."

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    For further information:
    Will Campbell
    Band & Brown Communications
    +44-20-7419-6975
    Will.Campbell@bbpr.com

For further information: Will Campbell, Band & Brown Communications, +44-20-7419-6975, Will.Campbell at bbpr.com