The IRACM was created in November 2010 and is celebrating its 8th anniversary: a prime opportunity to review one of its vital objectives, which is to make as many people as possible aware of the dangers of fake medicines. A recent survey conducted by French pharmaceutical wholesalers revealed that 64% of French people were “very worried” about the sale of fake medicines on the internet. Has the general public become more aware of the dangers? This is the IRACM’s greatest hope, as one of the main reasons behind increasing fake medicines is the lack of patient awareness and a general lack of information about the associated risks.
The IRACM, an information-sharing pioneer
In developed countries, and most especially in France, healthcare systems are widely trusted. However, certain factors are generating risk behaviors, such as: the desire to bypass regulations for some medicines (psychotropic substances or erectile dysfunction treatments, for example); the rise in self-medication; and the advent of the internet. Over the past eight years, the IRACM has focused on getting to the root of the problem and raising public awareness about the nature, level of danger and extent of the threat.
“Le Faux médicament KESAKO ?” awareness campaign.
A fun website and advice leaflet for patients in doctors’ and hospital waiting rooms.
“Le Faux médicament KESAKO ?” (What in the world is a fake medicine?) is the first ever patient information leaflet which explains the dangers of medicine falsification. A total of 180,000 copies of a 16-page brochure were distributed in doctors’ and hospital waiting rooms.
http://www.le-faux-medicament-kesako.com
“Fake vaccines”, “Fake veterinary products”.Two information posters illustrate the extent of the trafficking.
In addition to the Kesako awareness campaign, these information brochures deal with two pharmaceutical product categories which are also affected by falsification: vaccines and veterinary products.http://www.iracm.com/vaccin/mobile/#p=1http://www.iracm.com/veterinaires/mobile/
“The 12 golden rules to safely purchasing medicines online” awareness campaign.Useful advice for purchasing safe online medicines.The IRACM’s 12 golden rules aim to equip consumers and internet users against the dangers of buying medicines online and ensure they choose safe e-pharmacies. The campaign was rolled out as a brochure, computer graphics and three educational videos.
• The hidden side of illegal online wesbites
• Max and Tony: The risks of purchasing online medicines
• Max and Tony: 12 golden rules for safe online purchases
“Traveling with medicines” An educational booklet distributed in French pharmacies.
The IRACM created the booklet in partnership with the National Association of French Pharmacy Students (ANEPF), the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the National Order of Pharmacists (ONP) and the French anti-falsification committee (CNAC). Almost one million copies of the booklet were printed and distributed in almost all French pharmacies.http://www.le-faux-medicament-kesako.com/les-medicaments-en-voyage-2/
“La famille Toutfaux” (The Allfakes) video. A catchy and viral short film for the whole family. This sitcom-style humorous film features a French family, three of whom have tried to buy so-called “comfort” products online. The video was viewed by over three million people on social media in several weeks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwplAEjzUjI
The IRACM took up the challenge and raised awareness amongst young people
“E-pharmacies” are rife and email and social media spams have become the primary vector for fake medicine trafficking. The concern is that future generations will be increasingly targeted by adverts which spout the virtues of various products. In response to this new concern, the IRACM created information tools to remind users of the basic digital rules.
“Le choix d’Hugo” (Hugo’s choice) is the first interactive fake medicines video.
This video is the first of its kind and was screened on World Anti-Counterfeiting Day 2016. “Le choix d’Hugo” aims to raise awareness of the dangers of purchasing online medicines amongst younger populations: school children and students. The video features a highly realistic, multiple-choice scenario in which viewers become heroes themselves: Hugo is a young undergraduate who tries to improve his grades with medicines. It’s over to the players to make the right choices!
“Blake Cartel 2.0”, the first fake medicines video game to win the 2017 Trophées de la Communication award.
In “Blake Cartel 2.0” the IRACM makes players take on hero Blake’s persona. Blake is an undercover cop in a south-American drug trafficking cartel. Players are fully immersed in the game and gradually discover the hidden side of organized crime as well as the dangers of medicine falsification. The free game was downloaded almost 1000 times within the space of a month on Apple Store and Google Play, It also won the 2017 Trophées de la Communication award for the Best Category of independently-organized communications actions.
“Bad pills”, a second video game for mobile phone.
The player must be able to distinguish the fake drug(s) on drug platelets; as the game progresses, he will discover prevention tips and recommendations for good practice.http://www.iracm.com/bas-pills
“Faux médicaments, attention danger !” (Fake medicines = danger!), is a cartoon for young African schoolchildren, created in collaboration with the Chirac Foundation.
The aim is to raise children’s awareness of the danger of buying medicines on the street. It also teaches them how complex and difficult it is to trace criminal networks.https://youtu.be/QkdO607K9RY
The IRACM, a training program leader
Correctly-trained teams who understand the dangers of, and can identify, fake medicines are indispensable in the fight against new strains of fake medicine traffickers. It is for this reason that eight years ago, the IRACM developed international, high-level, specialized training programs. The Institute also took part in creating diploma-level e-learning modules.
A Pharmaceutical Cybercrime Investigation e-learning module with the University of Technology of Troyes.
The UTT (University of Technology of Troyes) has been running cybersecurity training programs for police officers and students for more than 10 years. Through the IRACM’s expertise and support, the UTT was able to develop its offer by adding a pharmaceutical cybercrime training program.
A comprehensive, free, e-learning program to learn everything there is to know about medicine falsification.
The IRACM’s online training program is educational and fun. The program’s seven modules inform viewers how medicines are manufactured and marketed, how medicine falsification is organized, legislation applied and also provide more practical information about how to detect an illegal e-pharmacy or how to authenticate a packet of medicines. The free e-learning program is available in French, English and Spanish and is intended for all ages. http://www.iracm.com/elearning/IRACM_en.html
Research: the IRACM’s priority task
Fake medicine traffickers are still riding on the back of a widespread lack of knowledge of the extent and nature of the problem. This lack of knowledge generates a level of neglect not only from consumers, who are potential victims, but also from national and international law enforcement authorities who could actually effectively fight this trafficking. This is why research is the IRACM’s priority task.
“Medicine counterfeiting and criminal organizations” study report. A pioneering report analyses new criminal strategies related to fake medicine trafficking.
This first-ever international study is based on an analysis of concrete cases and interviews with world-renowned experts and provides a detailed typology of criminal activities revealed in recent years. The report also provides an overview of new health and geopolitical issues which are inherent in the development of such trafficking, and avenues for more effective prevention and repression.