Awareness and information campaign from 1st July to 31 December 2015 -

IRACM is launching a nationwide campaign in France WHAT IN THE WORLD IS A FAKE MEDICINE?1 Edition 2016 to alert the general public to the dangers of fake medicines and advise patients about buying medicines online and what to do when travelling

to alert the general public to the dangers of fake medicines

and what to do when travelling

In 2013 and 2014, 3.6 million fake medicines were seized in Le Havre, France. Trucks carrying medicines were stolen in Italy early this year, and Germany saw the introduction of fake medicines into its legal medicine distribution channel in April. These incidents show that the problem is getting closer and closer to France.

In response to this, IRACM is launching an action aimed at the general public, and especially at patients to:

• Preserve the health of patients by informing them of the risks incurred by counterfeit medicines.
• Alert them to dangerous behaviours, particularly concerning self-medication, and promote good practices for medicine consumption, especially on Internet and when travelling to foreign countries.

In France, patients are protected by a very secure distribution channel for medicines. However Internet and travel can be risky. Counterfeit or fake medicines are an increasing threat to public health.

This nationwide campaign consists of a booklet for patients, a website, a poster and a quiz. All the information can be found on the website www.le-faux-medicament-kesako.com.

– Visit the website www.le-faux-medicament-kesako.com and find all the information plus the booklet on fake medicines.

– Film “The Allfakes” to see with your family to raise awareness on the purchase of products or non-prescription drugs on fake pharmacies.

– Pharmacists: the poster and the

of the campaign are available on the Cespharm website (National Pharmacists) in French.

– Download the campaign poster– Read the press release

[1] Le faux médicament, késako ?