news

Sixty percent of search engine results for medicines yield counterfeit drugs

20
SHARES

Research has found that up to 60 percent of results for medicines on search engines present potentially counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

A new study has revealed that up to 60 percent of search engine results lead customers to fake or dangerous goods, including pharmaceutical products.

 

ACCESS your FREE COPY

 


This report addresses the key factors shaping pharmaceutical formulation, including regulation, QC and analysis.

Access the full report now to discover the techniques, tools and innovations that are transforming pharmaceutical formulation, and learn how to position your organisation for long-term success.

What you’ll discover:

  • Key trends shaping the pharmaceutical formulation sector
  • Innovations leading progress in pharmaceutical formulation and how senior professionals can harness their benefits
  • Considerations and best practices when utilising QbD during formulation of oral solid dosage forms
  • And more!

Don’t miss your chance to access this exclusive report ! Access now – it’s free

The company who conducted the research, Incopro, found that six in 10 Google searches for the antibiotic Bactrim (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) yielded sites likely to be operating unlawfully.

Reportedly, Google does not “at this time de-index URLs or websites from its Web Search index on trademark grounds upon request”.

Pharmaceutical companies who hold trademark rights have to go through legal channels to protect their property, meaning that websites may continue to sell counterfeit medicines online with listings on search engines.  

“Consumers are at risk of buying counterfeit and possibly harmful products, as a result of clicking through results generated by search engines they trust,” said Simon Baggs, co-founder and CEO at Incopro. “At best, these products will be poor quality or below-standard; at worst, they put consumers at risk of harm, particularly when buying pharmaceuticals or safety goods.

“It is high time search engines played their part in putting a stop to the fakers, rather than encouraging them to proliferate through inaction.”

The company is calling on Google and other search engines to work more closely with intellectual property owners to remove infringing websites.

Related organisations

,

Related people

Share via
Share via