Drug regulators study global treaty to tackle counterfeit drugs

Drug regulators from some 40 countries have decided that further discussions are needed before a global treaty is introduced to tackle the growing trade in counterfeit drugs, which is estimated to affect 5% to 7% of the pharmaceutical market worldwide and results in death, disability, and injury.

The regulators were responding to a “concept paper” on a proposed international framework convention to combat the illegal trade. The paper was presented by the World Health Organization's department of essential medicines and policy at a two day meeting preceding the International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities in Madrid last week.

Counterfeit drugs affect developed and developing countries, although the problem is far more pronounced in the developing world—for example, counterfeit drugs account for 40% to …