Counterfeit Medicines: the business, consequences and solutions

By Mirta Miyaski

Counterfeiting in Paraguay is once again a primary concern to the Paraguayan American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM).

After a successful essay contest in the year 2010 with almost 40 participants, the AMCHAM will challenge graduate and post graduate students to participate in a new essay contest called: “Counterfeit Medicines: the business, consequences and solutions”.

Unfortunately, Paraguay is one of the mayor hub destinations of counterfeit products for South America. Some of them illegally imported, others “home made” in clandestine factories, but all of them constituting a frightening danger to consumer’s health.

In this context, participants may analyze the situation from their point of view and criteria (economical, public health, communicational, juridical, among others), but the winning essay will be the one which best defines the problem, explains the consequences and provides the best solutions to the situation.

The event is supported by the US Embassy in Paraguay and the Paraguayan Supreme Court of Justice, and constitutes a key action taken by the AMCHAM in the fight against piracy.

We believe the education is the first step in the fight against counterfeit medicine, Berkemeyer is a member of the IP Sub Committee at the Amcham, and will continue to support the AMCHAM in this initiative.