US-based pharmaceutical major Pfizer, alongside the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), has launched a new anti-counterfeiting campaign focused on educating consumers through YouTube.
Pfizer noted that estimated sales of counterfeit medicines exceeded $75bn in 2010, equating to a 90% increase over 2005 figures, with counterfeit drugs being readily available on the internet shouldering the blame.
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Conducting research into the market for counterfeit drugs, Pfizer purchased and tested Viagra tablets from 26 pharmacy websites, found using two internet search engines, to find that 81% were selling counterfeit versions of the drug.
Pfizer and NABP’s campaign will establish a YouTube channel designed to educate consumers in protecting themselves from purchasing counterfeit drugs, as well as renewed efforts to force takeovers of websites used by counterfeiters.
