INTERPOL - World Model United Nations

eective database can be created either by updating the
current WHO database (see chart below) or by creating a
new and improved database under INTERPOL. Here is an
example of what the current WHO database would look
like, using actual examples that have been self-reported by
the countries that are involved: 109
Counterfeit Medicine Country Year Report
Anti-diabetic traditional
medicine (used to lower
blood sugar)
Metakeln (antimalarial) United Repub-
Viagris and Cialis (for erectile
dysfunction)
Xenical (for ghting obesity)
Zyprexa (for treating bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia)
Lipitor (for lowering cholesterol)
From examining this current chart, several trends are
notable. For one, it is clear from this sample that though
industrial nations tend to experience counterfeit medicines
at a far lower rate than developing nations, they are
represented in half of these entries due to a greater tendency
to self-report counterfeit examples. is may be due to more
monitoring and enforcement capacity, stronger government
institutions, greater telecommunication capabilities, and
governments that are typically more independent from
private pharmaceutical companies’ inuence. In addition, it
is notable that the report is short, lacking information about
exact locations in these nations that are in danger, as well
as bordering countries that may be aected. An eective
international database would do well to include additional
categories of analysis, including, but not limited to: volume
of drugs conscated; companies which may be impacted;
names of any individuals, organizations, or websites
connected to the counterfeiting; and estimated monetary
value of the counterfeit drugs discovered.
International agreements between companies to avoid
taking advantage of competitors’ misfortunes when
precipitated by rumors or conrmed reports of fake
drugs may facilitate enhanced cooperation within the
pharmaceutical industry to report the discovery of
counterfeit drugs. INTERPOL or another appropriate
international organ can facilitate these sorts of agreements.
Realists have proposed a partial regulation approach, a
mix between complete government regulation and the
China 2009 Contained six times the normal dose
of glibenclamide (two people died,
nine people hospitalized)
2009 Discovered in 40 pharmacies: lacked
lic of Tanzania sucient active ingredient
ailand 2008 Smuggled into ailand from an
unknown source in an unknown
country
United States 2007 Contained no active ingredient and
sold via Internet sites operated outside
of the USA
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
2007 Detected in the legal supply chain:
lacked active ingredient
2006 Detected in the legal supply chain:
lacked active ingredient
laissez-faire sale of counterfeit pharmaceuticals. is
would combine government with private organizations
and civic associations in the regulation and create mutual
cooperation and understanding without infringing on
the natural relations between competing companies in a
capitalist society.. 110
Consumer education campaigns can be seen as equally
necessary. is measure ranges from carefully placed
television, newspaper, and magazine ads, to the
incorporation of counterfeit drug dangers into public health
curricula. ese eorts will require the cooperation of
doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, who would
be encouraged to explain to their patients the imperative
of taking authentic medications. Consumers would be
advised to shop online only at licensed pharmacies, and
to look for seals of approval. Countries may even go as far
as to promote “community policing,” providing accessible,
simple, and privacy-protected means for private individuals
to report examples of websites selling counterfeit
pharmaceuticals to the relevant authorities. Websites that
oer prescription drugs for reduced prices or without a
Harvard WorldMUN 2012 INTERPOL 23