Media release

November 16, 2016

Internet is an ideal place for global marketing and it offers traffickers of counterfeit medicines the perfect tool for

selling their products on a wide scale basis.

Since its creation in 2010, the International Institute of Research Against Counterfeit Medicines (IRACM) has

combated counterfeit medicines throughout the world. Buying medicines on-line can threaten your health or

even your life! Continuing on from the awareness campaigns launched in July 2015 to protect the health of patients

and consumers, IRACM is again speaking out and giving practical advice on how to buy medicines safely over the

internet. It is also showing the hidden face of these websites that sell fake healthcare products.

By following these 12 golden rules, consumers attracted by the prices or the

convenience of buying on-line will be better equipped to choose a reliable e-pharmacy,

and can trust that they are not buying counterfeit medicines. They will know about

safeguards meaning they can buy medicines over the internet with confidence.

In fact, clandestine e-pharmacies endeavour by all means to make us believe that their

websites are serious, authentic and meet quality and safety standards. To add to this

illusion, traffickers use well-established marketing strategies. These include using trusted

domain names, offering a professional design, having a good ranking on search engines,

creating fake news sites, having a presence on social media, selling products on B-to-B

portals, using spam, etc.

12 golden rules to make sure you do not endanger your health or life by buying medicines over the internet

To discover the website that will change your preconceived ideas about the on-line sale of medicines! This campaign conducted by IRACM over the internet has two objectives. Firstly, it aims to raise awareness among

internet users by letting them discover what lurks behind these illegal e-pharmacies. Secondly, by providing practical

advice, it is helping consumers acquire good habits when they buy healthcare products over the internet.

Since no one chooses to buy fake medicines!

The 12 golden rules, tips before buying medicines over the internet, is the new component of the first communication

campaign of its type, introduced in July 2015 by IRACM: “What are fake medicines?”

A brochure, computer graphics and three videos accompany this campaign

focusing on the "12 golden rules”:

The hidden face of illegal websites selling medicines on-line

Max and Tony: 12 golden rules for buying securely over the internet

Max and Tony: The risks of buying medicines on-line

The brochure

The computer graphics HERE

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Due to the health risks involved in the trafficking and counterfeiting of medicines, IRACM is taking action to protect

people. Through its prevention and awareness remit, IRACM is providing information and notifying on a daily basis

about the extent of the problem of fake medical products, the issues involved as well as the need to combat the da-

maging effects. In this context, it conducts prevention campaigns that focus on fake health products and suggests

good habits to adopt on a daily basis.

In France, the purpose of first part of the campaign "What are fake

medicines?” was intended to raise public awareness to the risks of

counterfeit or falsified medicines. For this purpose, it has produced an

information booklet and tips, a dedicated website, a poster and a quiz.

The second part with the "Allfake family [Toutfaux in French]" video

focused on the on-line risks.

The viral video immersed internet users in the daily life of an average family.

The various members of this family bought painkillers, beauty products and

performance-enhancing products over the internet. It is a scenario that allows

everyone to identify with one of the characters.

The objective of the third component, launched in June 2016, was to

offer the general public tips about the good habits to adopt in terms of

medication before, during, and while they are travelling.

Carried out in partnership with the National Association of Pharmacy Students

in France (ANEPF), the French Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), the

French Association of Pharmacists (ONP) and the National Anti-Counterfeiting

Committee (NACC), the campaign resulted in the distribution of over one

million Travel brochures throughout the network of official pharmacies in

France.

Press Contacts:

Corinne Hoff : +33(0) 169 745 811 – corinne.hoff@iracm.com

Marina Rosoff Madis Phileo : +33 (0) 671 580 034 – marina@madisphileo.com

For more information, visit www.iracm.com and follow us