Drug counterfeiting is a growing problem in India. As people become more aware of the need to take medication, but can’t afford their prescribed drugs, more consumers are turning to alternative sources. The result? A thriving black market for cheap drugs, as well as a growing number of dangerous and fake drugs finding their way into the legitimate supply chain.

India is the third largest pharmaceutical market in the world. Counterfeit and substandard drugs are big business in India, and the country is fast becoming a major source for pharma counterfeiting, at a time when the world is grappling with drug-resistant superbugs.

How Drug counterfeiting is rising in India?

The Indian market is full of counterfeit products, due to the lack of regulation. This makes it easy for fake sellers to access the market and distribute their products through conventional channels. The long and complicated supply chains are full of loopholes which allow counterfeiters to operate with ease. With more sophisticated techniques being used by counterfeiters, it is becoming increasingly difficult for customers to identify fake products.

With drug shortages and high demands during a pandemic, fake drugs are being sold more due to a lack of awareness and proper surveillance. 

To combat this problem, multiple stakeholders such as India’s Drugs Controller General (DCGI), state drug control authorities, and pharma industry are working  together. In India, when a complaint about a drug is raised, samples are seized and sent for quality testing by regulatory authorities.

What is the impact of the substandard medicines?

Substandard medicines are manufactured, packed, or distributed that do not conform to the official standards of quality. These medicines can be ineffective, dangerous or cause health problems. The most common causes of substandard medicines are counterfeits, expired drugs and poor quality controls. 

Poor-quality medicines may cause treatment failure, disease worsening, decreased quality of life, and even death and the consequences of poorly manufactured drugs reach beyond India’s borders so it is crucial that medicine manufacturers create standards to ensure the quality of their products. The healthcare industry needs to provide greater awareness about counterfeiting in order to preserve access to safe, effective treatments worldwide.

How can the industry combat the counterfeiting menace?

India began to adopt anti-counterfeit technologies. These technologies are being used to prevent counterfeiting, catch criminals, and help consumers identify genuine products. There’s a need for manufacturers and distributors to plug gaps in the supply chain and use mechanisms which verify drug quality. Stronger regulations can govern product discrepancies, weed out counterfeiters, and protect public health and the economy.

One of the biggest things that brands can do to help combat counterfeiting in India by using secure and safe packaging which cannot be replicated by any fake manufacturers. 

Our company recently introduced a new product as “BLISTER FOIL with Security Printing” and “VOID & TAMPER PROOF LABELS,” which adds an extra layer of protection to the products and their packaging.

Another is “PHYGITAL“, a lethal combination of PHYsical and diGITAL that fights drug falsification with 100% accuracy using this innovative technology. The physical form is enhanced with the most secure yet tamper-evident labels, as well as a QR code for digital security.

About Lasersec Technologies

One of the leading and most trusted manufacturers and innovators of Anti-Counterfeiting products that provides practical solutions by constantly identifying any requirement from different aspects of the industry. 

Lasersec Technologies develop and customize products based on the requirements of a specific industry. Sustained Research and Development by a qualified team of professionals supported by well-equipped facilities, and keeping abreast of the latest technology and pioneering new products and applications.

Contact us at mktg@lasersec.in  or reach out on +91 –11-45637955