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Tuesday, August 24, 2004
While it is disturbing that counterfeit copies of a prescription
medicine have been able to find their way into the UK supply chain,
the prompt identification of the fake products and the speedy action
taken are reassuring, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical
Industry (ABPI) said today.
Counterfeiting of medicines in the UK is rare, with a supply chain
of licensed and regulated manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers,
mainly high street pharmacies. The ABPI said that it was good to
see the medicine's authentic manufacturer, Lilly ICOS UK Ltd, working
closely with the Government's regulatory authority not only in ensuring
the batches of counterfeits are withdrawn but also, where appropriate,
in identifying how the items entered the supply chain.
"The integrity of the supply chain is of utmost importance
to the pharmaceutical industry, and it is equally important that
the manufacturers' original packaging is not interfered with,"
said Dr Richard Barker, Director General of the ABPI.
"This incident highlights the need for the greatest vigilance
and scrutiny, especially when medicines are introduced into the
system other than from their original manufacturers. The best protection
against counterfeiting is to ensure that the products bought are
those supplied by the authentic manufacturer.
"Only then can the industry feel confident that its products
are reaching patients in the same condition as they left the factory,
and that patients are receiving medication that they can trust absolutely."
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