PSTU-10 - Combatting substandard and falsified medicines in formal and informal markets – the role of education and technologies 

Ballroom West
Organised by the FIP Academic Pharmacy Section in collaboration with FIP Education and the FIP Technology Advisory Group

Chair(s)

Dr Carl Schneider, ExCo member FIP Academic Pharmacy Section, Australia and Dr Luther Gwaza, World Health Organization, Zimbabwe

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified substandard and falsified (SF) medicines as a major public health threat. A particular area of concern is informal markets, both physically as well as online. Pharmacists, among other stakeholders, must play a major role in detection and preventing substandard and falsified (SF) medicines reaching patients and the wider public. This session will address what we know about substandard and falsified (SF) medicines in formal and informal markets and explore the roles of education and AI and other technologies to combat substandard and falsified (SF) medicines.

Programme

 

14:30 – 14:35 Welcome by the chairs
14:35 – 14:45 Introduction: Setting the scene – Substandard and falsified (SF) medicines in formal and informal markets
Dr David R. Katerere, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
14:45 – 15:00 Preparing (future) pharmacists for their role in protecting patients and the public from Substandard and falsified (SF) medicines
Prof. Dr Aukje Mantel, ExCo member FIP Academic Pharmacy Section, Netherlands
15:00 – 15:15

Think like a falsifier! Digital technologies in the battle between pharmacists and fake medicines
Prof. Elisabeth Pisani, Ternyata Ltd, UK
15:15 – 15:55 Panel discussion
15:55 – 16:00 Closing 

Learning objectives

  • Be aware of the extent and scope of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines in formal and informal markets.
  • Know which initiatives exist to train (future) pharmacists to identify substandard and falsified (SF) medicines and report substandard and falsified (SF) medicines and protect patients from using them.
  • Understand if and how AI and other digital technologies may help the pharmaceutical workforce in prevention of substandard and falsified (SF) medicines reaching patients.

Take home messages

  • Substandard and falsified (SF) medicines pose a pressing global health threat, especially with the emergence of internet/online pharmacies. 
  • Training can prepare (future) pharmacists for a stronger role in protecting patients from using substandard and falsified (SF) F medicines and different training methods to increase skills and knowledge in this area exist.
  • Digital technologies can support pharmacists in combatting substandard and falsified (SF) medicines.