BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Nov. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanofi announced
today the results of a new study examining perceptions of the risks
associated with counterfeit medicines. Conducted in July 2015, the study sheds light on Americans'
perceptions of counterfeit medicines. The findings show that only
12% of respondents feel that they have enough information on
counterfeit medicines, and in most cases, are more likely to
associate counterfeiting with consumer goods rather than
medicines.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7697951-sanofi-counterfeit-medicines/
"Counterfeit medicines are a crime against public health and
a growing global crisis that affects all types of medical products
and any therapeutic indication. They can cause ineffective
treatment, sometimes serious side effects, and in the worst cases,
the patient's death," says Geoffroy Bessaud, Associate Vice
President Anti-Counterfeit Coordination, Sanofi. "The findings
of this study demonstrate that the burden is still too poorly
perceived by populations as a whole, and underline the need for the
public at large to be better informed about the risks
involved."
By the Numbers: A Counterfeit Information Shortfall
- Only 15% of American respondents made the connection between
counterfeiting and medicines, while 54% linked the issue more with
apparel and 43% with luxury goods.
- More than half of Americans (53%) said they had never heard of
counterfeit medicines, and a vast majority (82%) felt that they had
never been exposed to counterfeit drugs.
- Fifty-four percent of Americans considered that the danger from
counterfeit drugs was undisputable, while 40% felt that it was
potential.
- Forty-one percent of respondents said they had no information
about counterfeit medicines, and only 12% felt that they had been
given sufficient information.
Exposure to Counterfeit Medicines: The Internet
- Eight out of every 10 Americans feel that the greatest risk of
exposure to counterfeit drugs stems from the purchase of medicines
online (79%).
- Sixty-two percent feel that there is also a risk when traveling
abroad.
- Yet they also believe it possible that counterfeit medicines
might be found in traditional retail channels in the United States (59%).
- Only 18% of Americans had already purchased medicines online
and three-quarters were not aware of the fact that there was a risk
involved (74%).
Purchasing Medicines Abroad: A Major Risk
With
typical foresight, 77% of all Americans travel with their own
medicines, and almost 50% keep these products in their carry-on
luggage whenever they fly (47%). As most of them feel that buying
medicines abroad is a risky business, only 16% of US travelers
actually do it, and 78% of them only buy from pharmacies. Under
these conditions, 70% of Americans feel safe about buying, although
this feeling of security varies according to destination: 83% when
buying in Europe, but only 50%
when purchases are made in Asia.
Sanofi: Actively Committed to the Fight Against Counterfeit
Medicines
Sanofi has introduced three levels of protection
for its medicines to defend the integrity and tamper-proof
seal of each box, and to ensure product authentication and
traceability. This level of precaution goes well beyond regulatory
obligations.
Sanofi set up a central coordination unit as early as 2007,
assembling the internal centers of expertise that are potentially
affected by fake drugs: Industrial Affairs, Safety, Medical and
Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Public Affairs and Communication. This
operational and territorial grid is conducive to greater
responsiveness and allows the implementation of concrete actions in
the fight against counterfeit medicines.
In 2008, Sanofi created the Central Anti-Counterfeiting
Laboratory (LCAC), located at a pharmaceutical site in the
city of Tours to analyze suspected counterfeit products.
Approximately 4,000 samples are sent to the laboratory each year
from all over the world, forwarded by health authorities or seized
by police or customs authorities.
The company is also developing platforms designed to alert the
general public by way of a website that aims to provide information
and advice to raise vigilance over fake medicines and a mobile app
for travelers called "travel tips."
Lastly, Sanofi actively cooperates with national and
international authorities to identify illicit platforms and to help
take down illegal networks that threaten public health and safety
with counterfeit medicines.
Impact of Counterfeiting
- Trafficking in fake medicines was estimated to be worth
$200 billion in 2014 versus
$75 billion in
2010. 2
- Sixty-two percent of tablets purchased on the Internet in 2011
were apparently counterfeit medicines.
3
- Ninety-six percent of online sales sites for medicines are
purportedly illegal and more than 50% of medicines purchased from
websites that conceal their physical address are probably
counterfeit drugs.4
- Each year, approximately 100,000 to 1 million deaths occur due
to counterfeit medicines.5
- The estimated figure is 10% of the pharmaceutical market
worldwide around $200
billion.6
About Sanofi
Sanofi, a global healthcare leader,
discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused
on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in diabetes
solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare,
emerging markets, animal health and Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in
Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in
New York (NYSE: SNY).
Sanofi is the holding company of a consolidated group of
subsidiaries and operates in the United
States as Sanofi US. For more information on Sanofi US,
please visit http://www.sanofi.us and
http://www.news.sanofi.us/social-media or call
1-800-981-2491.
The full findings from the survey are available upon
request.
Contacts:
Media
Relations
Mary Kathryn
Steel
Tel.:
908-989-0726
usmediarelations@sanofi.com
|
Investor
Relations
George
Grofik
Tel.:
908-981-5560
IR@sanofi.com
|
1 Results from the Happycurious opinion
poll conducted for Sanofi in July
2015, an online questionnaire with a sample of 1,500
respondents.
2 IRACM (research institute for counterfeit
drugs)
3 European Alliance for Access to Safe
Medicines
4 WHO, 2012
5 Interpol, 2013
6 WHO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/perceptions-of-counterfeit-medicines-only-12-of-americans-feel-they-have-enough-information-300182502.html
SOURCE Sanofi