Anti-counterfeit Network Africa Launched

On 15 February 2016, the Anti-counterfeit Network Africa was launched in Uganda to help in intensifying the fight against production & supply of Counterfeit drugs to ensure patient access to quality medicine.

According to WHO, Substandard, spurious, falsely labelled, falsified and counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products are by their very nature difficult to detect. They are often designed to appear identical to the genuine product and may not cause an obvious adverse reaction, however they often will fail to properly treat the disease or condition for which they were intended.

The global trade in counterfeit goods is growing at an alarming rate. Africa is increasingly being targeted as a destination for counterfeit goods according to  the World Customs Organisation's Counterfeiting and Piracy Unit.

However, the launch of Anti-counterfeit Network Africa comes as hope to this problem.  It promises to address this challenge through sustained, integrated and co-operative effort with multiple organizations.