International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce — IMPACT

Counterfeit medical products are a major public health risk for all communities. The phenomenon has grown in recent years due to counterfeiting methods becoming more sophisticated and to the increasing amount of merchandise crossing borders.

Counterfeit medicines represent an enormous public health challenge. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can come across medicines seemingly packaged in the right way, in the form of tablets or capsules that look right, but which do not contain the correct ingredients and, in the worst case scenario, may be filled with highly toxic substances. In some countries, this is a rare occurrence, in others, it is an everyday reality.

WHO has responded to the challenge by creating a global coalition of stakeholders called   IMPACT (International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce). The taskforce, created in 2006, has been active in forging international collaboration to seek global solutions to this global challenge and in raising awareness of the dangers of counterfeit medical products.

Download IMPACT brochure (pdf reader required to open)