Singapore: US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is gearing up its efforts to combat fake medicine circulating in the market and has joined hands with 11 new organizations to strengthen its global 'Fight the Fake' campaign.

"Counterfeit or fake medicines can account for up to 30 percent of the drug supply in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America according to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO)," said Ron Piervincenzi, CEO, USP. "These products can harm patients, causing further illness, disability or even death, and they can also increase resistance to real treatments, putting the global population at risk."

Established in 2013, Fight the Fakes initiative now includes 25 healthcare groups, research institutes, foundations, non-profits and private sector organizations working together in the fight against fake medicines.

"Combating counterfeit and substandard products is an essential part of USP's mission to improving public health by promoting quality medicines around the world," Mr Piervincenzi noted. "The challenges we face today, with raw materials and finished products circling the globe before they reach the hands of patients and consumers, require collaboration to stem the tide of fakes."

The newest partners in the Fight the Fakes campaign are the Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies (ASOP), Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacy in the EU (ASOP EU), Center for Safe Internet Pharmacies (CSIP), European Association of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (GIRP), Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA), International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (IFPW), International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), Mobilium, Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM), PSM India and the Pharmaceutical Security Institute (PSI). In addition to USP, other standing partners in Fight the Fakes include the Dutch Malaria Foundation, Fondation Chirac, Global Pharma Health Fund (GPHF), International Council of Nurses (ICN), International Federation for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), International Institute of Research Against Counterfeit Medicines (IRACM), Malaria Consortium, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), NCD Alliance, Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM), Sproxil, World Heart Federation (WHF) and World Medical Association (WMA).

Fight the Fakes is a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of fake medicines, giving a voice to those who have been personally impacted and sharing the stories of those working to put a stop to this public health threat. It seeks to build a global movement of organizations and individuals who will shine light on the negative impact of fake medicines and work together to combat the problem.