The global counterfeit trade in pharmaceuticals is estimated to be over $200 billion annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1 million deaths are caused every year through the sale of counterfeit drugs. A significant share of counterfeit pharmaceuticals emanates from online sales, on marketplaces, social media platforms and standalone rogue pharmacy websites.

Consumers may be motivated to purchase counterfeit medicines through these methods due to apparent convenience, scarcity of the medication, the lack of a requirement for a prescription, or a price difference from the original product. According to an Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report, consumers have demonstrated a willingness to take risks buying products online, sometimes disregarding the consequences of purchasing and using products that may not be properly formulated.

Authentix Online Brand Protection for pharmaceuticals has an extensive global monitoring mechanism for its clients in the pharmaceutical industry, covering marketplaces, social media platforms and standalone websites. The Authentix Online Brand Protection team uses a combination of trademark laws, health laws and trade regulations to curb the sales of counterfeit pharmaceuticals online and supplements its online surveillance with online and physical investigations.

Authentix online brand protection clients range from Fortune 500 drug companies to more niche drug manufacturers. We have not only taken down hundreds of infringing listings on behalf of our clients, but also provided intelligence (through both online and offline investigations) that has led to raids and enforcement actions against counterfeiters.

In fact, our expert team provided intelligence that led to 35 successful raids across China to seize counterfeit pharmaceutical cream valued at over $950,000. Read the full case study here.