EDQM Launches Counterfeit Drug Database

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) announced the launch of a new database, Know-X, which collates reports on counterfeit/falsified medical products that have been detected in Council of Europe member states.

The user-friendly tool was developed to assist officials by expanding knowledge and awareness of the problem of counterfeit/falsified medicines, provide a basis for the exchange of information, highlight and encourage collaboration between health and law enforcement authorities, and foster the sharing of analytical information on the testing of counterfeit/falsified and other illegal medicines within the Network of Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCLs), EDQM reports in a statement.

The database contains details on closed cases of counterfeit/falsified medical products, technical information on the testing performed, the authorities involved and what actions were taken. The information provided is gathered from OMCLs, health authorities, regulatory agencies, medical products surveillance authorities, customs, and police and is intended to provide governments with decision aids for the management and prevention of specific risks.

Access can be requested by officials working for a competent health or law enforcement authority in a Council of Europe member state or in a state party to the MEDICRIME Convention that is directly involved in fighting counterfeit/falsified medical products and similar crimes, or a member of the European OMCL Network that does not belong to the core testing group.

Source: EDQM