A new resource by the experts at the National Consumers League educating consumers on how to spot, avoid, and report counterfeit medications

Why focus on counterfeit drugs, and why now?

The counterfeit drug problem is global. The World Health Organization estimates that $83 billion worth of counterfeit drugs are sold annually, and one in 10 medical products circulating in developing countries are substandard or fake.

The rise of Internet pharmacies—both legal and criminal operations—has brought the risks of counterfeit drugs home for any American shopping online.

And the opioid epidemic is also a factor: according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, counterfeit drugs laced with fentanyl (an opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine) have been found in 46 states, killing people in 29 of them.

Helping consumers take action

Fraud.org/FakeRx is designed to help people of all ages, genders, ethnic backgrounds, geographic regions, and income brackets become aware of the risks of counterfeit drugs, as well as:

• how to reduce the chances they’ll come into contact with them;
• how to spot harmful counterfeit drugs if they do; and
• how to do their part to report them to the authorities fighting the problem.

Thank you for helping us raise awareness about counterfeit drugs among your members, constituents, and allies.

Here’s what you can do to help Fraud.org/FakeRx get the word out:

LINK TO US | From your website

USE OUR CONTENT (Like the PDF above right) | In your social media channels

FEATURE THE ISSUE | In your electronic or print newsletters

TALK TO YOUR EMPLOYEES | Anyone who fills prescriptions is potentially at-risk

REACH OUT TO US | We can help offer training, speaking services, and more

REPORT COUNTERFEIT DRUGS | Encourage consumers to share their experience with fakes in order to help others avoid harm