The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 10% to 30% of pharmaceuticals available on the market in developing countries are counterfeit or of inferior quality. In the EU, the United States, Canada or Australia, the share of counterfeit medicines is only about 1%. Counterfeit medicines are a serious threat to health care worldwide. They represent a significant social and economic problem and are a huge challenge for the global pharmaceutical industry. Patients and medical staff must be certain that the Merck products originating from reliable sources are genuine and safe to use.
Merck is pursuing a long-term strategy against product piracy. We are utilizing technical possibilities to increase product safety through counterfeit-proof packaging and tracking options (for example, the Track & Trace program in the United States). In addition, we are involved in numerous industry associations, support industry-wide initiatives to promote clear legal regulations and resolute prosecution of violations, and work closely with the responsible authorities in Germany and abroad.
Moreover, Merck funds the
Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF), whose purpose and aim is to promote health care as part of development assistance – in particular to fight counterfeit pharmaceuticals. With their characteristic color properties, Candurin® pearl effect pigments help our customers in the pharmaceutical industry make their tablets and capsules more difficult to counterfeit.
