Anti-counterfeiting

When questions of a medicine's authenticity are raised, patient confidence is eroded and the safety and efficacy of the treatment are uncertain. Novartis is committed to protecting patients against the doubts and dangers created by the proliferation of counterfeit medicines.

The integrity and reputation of our company depend on making every effort to assure healthcare professionals and patients that the products that bear our name are in fact Novartis products, backed by superior and unwavering standards of quality, safety and efficacy.

We are investing significant resources in a multi-pronged strategy aimed at preventing counterfeit Novartis medicines from entering the global supply chain and pharmaceutical marketplace.

While estimates vary widely, it is generally agreed that the chances of purchasing a counterfeit product are negligible if patients obtain their drugs from legitimate and known sources in Europe, the US or Japan. On the other hand, the risk of receiving a counterfeit medicine greatly increases in developing countries, or in developed countries when patients use unconventional or unfamiliar sources, such as Internet pharmacy sites.

Most stakeholders agree that the problem is growing globally and vigorous actions must be taken to stem the tide. Counterfeits are found among branded and generic pharmaceutical products, as well as over-the-counter medications. They can include products with the correct ingredients, wrong ingredients, no active ingredients, insufficient active ingredients or fake packaging. Counterfeit products expose patients to serious health risks and are illegal.

Read our position on Counterfeit medicines.