QR Code as a Tool to Combat Counterfeit Medicines
The production process in the supply chain is described as a complex sequence of auxiliary services that extend from the manufacturer to the end-user. This complexity is exacerbated by the variety of delivery methods, including goods produced by primary manufacturers and distributed among secondary market enterprises. In such a system, there is a risk of encountering counterfeits. Particularly acute is the problem of counterfeit pharmaceutical products, which are distributed globally, threatening the health and even lives of people. Besides posing a risk to health, these counterfeits wastefully deplete consumer finances, forcing them to pay for products without therapeutic value and displacing legitimate pharmaceutical companies from the market. Statista reports note that the global market for counterfeit drugs reaches approximately $200 billion, causing an economic loss of about $9 billion due to lost taxes in the USA.
Main Risks of Using Counterfeit Medicines
Illegal medications can be dangerous to the health and safety of consumers who fall victim to poor-quality fakes, unable to distinguish illegal products. Many are unaware of the potential dangers. Counterfeit and substandard pharmaceutical products can affect people's health in various ways. Recent reports by EUIPO and OECD highlight the serious threat of counterfeit medicines to patients, including:
- Toxicity due to incorrect active components
- Ineffectiveness in treating diseases and prevention
- Incorrect dosage and dangerous impurities
- Contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance and resistant infections
- Additional treatment costs
- In the worst case, death
- Serious side effects and complications, contributing to the spread of drug resistance
Counterfeits harm the legitimate pharmaceutical industry in various ways, including loss of profit, additional costs for brand protection, and deterioration of the company's reputation. For example, Pfizer mentioned the counterfeiting problem in its financial report for 2019. Solution: Using QR codes on packaging to verify product authenticity.
Countries Using QR Codes to Combat Counterfeits
- Ukraine has taken measures by introducing QR codes to reduce the number of fakes, especially in online sales.
- India actively uses QR codes to protect medicines from counterfeits and ensure fair pricing.
- Russia marks pharmaceutical products with QR codes to fight counterfeiting and smuggling.
- In Florida, Hobbs Pharmacy uses QR codes to provide information about medications and their side effects.
Global trade opens pathways for counterfeit products, but QR code technology helps combat this problem by protecting brands and allowing consumers to verify the authenticity of goods at the time of purchase.
The step-by-step process of using a QR code involves scanning a unique code, following a URL to verify the product's authenticity, and confirming its originality and safety. This method is a reliable protection against counterfeits, as it is difficult to forge. Moreover, such a QR code on packaging can act as a special electronic business card for the company or product, forming a special marketing tool for promoting the product and improving reputation.