Title: Counterfeiting in global pharmaceuticals sector: its consequences and management

Authors: Derek L. Bosworth

Addresses: University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK; St. Peter's College, Oxford, UK

Abstract: This paper argues that some acts of counterfeiting as in pharmaceuticals have both an economic cost for branded producers and major social and welfare costs. The risks for the individual appear particularly high in developing countries. Branded manufacturers may experience a loss of faith amongst consumers and be forced to withdraw their pharmaceutical product from the market. The paper considers the link between parallel imports and counterfeit pharmaceuticals and also the trade in pharmaceuticals on the internet. It also investigates the links between counterfeiting and other criminal activities. Finally it examines various anti-counterfeiting strategies, including |track and trace| technologies.

Keywords: pharmaceuticals; deceptive counterfeits; non-deceptive counterfeits; parallel imports; ethics; health and safety; IPR enforcement; intellectual property rights; counterfeiting; brands; developing countries; counterfeit pharmaceuticals; internet trading; track and trace; crime; internet; anti-counterfeiting strategies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIPM.2009.026911

International Journal of Intellectual Property Management, 2009 Vol.3 No.4, pp.343 - 356

Published online: 08 Jul 2009 *

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