The best counterfeiting disinfectant is sunlight

"So long as we have an opaque supply chain it will have lots of good hiding places for counterfeiters and traffickers, and consequently, will be full of dangerous, compromised, or counterfeit medicine," says Eban. "Only a supply chain that requires full documentation of origin in any form-and attaches strict criminal penalties to falsifying that documentation-will begin to be secure. As the old saying goes, 'the best disinfectant is sunlight.'"

At another compelling presentation, at the Brand-Protection Packaging Forum (www.packworld.com/bppf), Aaron Graham, Purdue Pharmaceuticals' chief security officer, referred to counterfeit Lipitor, saying, "Had the intention of a twice-convicted cocaine traffiker been something other than profits, I think we'd be in a world of hurt. We know that Hezbollah, Fatah, Hells Angels, and Columbian cartels are all engaged in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit medicines."

RFID, bar codes, nanotechnology, color-shifting inks, holograms, and other packaging-related techniques challenge counterfeiters. Yet comments made at the BPPF echo what I've heard at other events: These technologies tend to keep legitimate drug makers about six to nine months ahead of would-be counterfeiters. Of course, there are instances where the counterfeits beat the authentic drug to the market.

Since the publication of Eban's book, she reports that reforms have been made in the battle against counterfeit drugs. She cites progress at manufacturing, wholesale, and retail points along the distribution chain. Eban told the PPF audience that packaging can help save lives. Now, more than ever, we must keep that as our focus.

-Jim Butschli, Editor