IFPMA Warns Everyone to Be Wary of Fake Drugs in “Watch Out For False Friends”
The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
and Associations (IFPMA) has produced a short video starring an animated
“genuine” pill warning consumers and doctors of the dangers of counterfeit
drugs.
In a post on the Global Health Matters blog, editor Mario
Ottiglio explains the reasons for the campaign:
“Every day, fake medicines find
their way into online and physical pharmacies, hospitals, and street markets.
This plague knows no borders. In the best case scenario, fake medicines leave
patients with no side-effects but also without a cure. In many other cases,
however, they can kill people. For this reason, health representatives from
different countries are rallying together this week in Geneva to discuss fake
medicines and how they could work together to address this silent but major
public health threat.”
Their video called “Watch Out for False Friends” highlights
the dangers that counterfeit drugs pose to consumers, and extols consumers and
medical professionals to be proactive in protecting themselves and their
patients from exposure to counterfeits.
“Watch Out for False Friends” comes in a short version and a longer, three minute version, both of which are available for viewing via their Youtube channel.