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Pharmaceutical Industry

Counterfeit drugs cost legitimate companies billions—and endanger consumer health.

"The pharmaceutical industry loses an estimated $32 billion to counterfeiting globally."
– World Health Organization

As a largely unregulated channel which also provides anonymity, the Internet is ideal for the illegal distribution of finished drugs and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). According to the World Health Organization over half of the drugs purchased from illicit websites are fake. There is also a thriving trade in bulk pills and APIs—the MarkMonitor Summer 2009 Brandjacking Index® finding that branded drugs sold through B2B exchanges were up 23% year-over-year, and APIs have increased by a staggering 80%.

Ironically, every advertising dollar spent to build legitimate brands also helps the counterfeiters, who exploit legitimate brand power to sell fake or grey market drugs. Understandably confused, consumers buy from the counterfeiters in increasing numbers, diverting billions in revenues from legitimate brand holders and increasing the threats of consumer harm and drug company liability.

To regain control of a complex, global drug supply chain, reclaim lost revenues and fight this deadly serious health threat, pharmaceutical manufacturers must take proactive action against fake and unauthorized online pharmacies. MarkMonitor can help.

MarkMonitor at Work

A top-50 pharmaceutical company with dozens of leading brands in more than 140 countries combats counterfeit and grey market drug sales, domain naming abuses, consumer confusion and liability risks by using MarkMonitor Domain Management and the MarkMonitor Brand Protection™ solution.

Industry-Pharma-chart
Optimizing domains while taking action against illicit sites protects consumers, reputation and revenue