Anticounterfeiting and photoluminescent cellulosic papers based on fluorescent acrylic copolymer nanoparticles containing coumarin.

Fluorescent nanoparticles are widely exploited as probes in cell tracking, drug delivery systems and high-performance security devices nowadays. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel 7-acryloxycoumarin (7-AC) through modification reaction of 7-hydroxycoumarin with acryloyl chloride and its copolymerization with methyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate to produce epoxy-functionalized fluorescent polymer nanoparticles through emulsion polymerization. Chemical modification of cellulose pulp papers with the as-prepared fluorescent latex nanoparticles was also assessed. Spherical nanoparticles with average particle size of 40-93 nm and their diffusion into cellulosic fibers with excellent wetting and coating were monitored. Fluorimetery analysis demonstrated that immobilization of 7-AC into the hydrophobic acrylic copolymer substrate enhanced its emission intensity significantly with respect to its molecularly solution due to the elimination of unwanted environmental effects and non-radiative processes such as probable internal conversions. The obtained products exhibited intensified fluorescence emission with potentiality of being used in anticounterfeiting inks and security documents.

Evaluation of community pharmacists' readiness to implement the Falsified Medicines Directive (Directive 2011/62/EC): an English cross-sectional survey with geospatial analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the readiness to implement the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) by community pharmacies in England. Eight secondary objectives were assessed. SETTING: Community/retail pharmacies. PARTICIPANTS: We invited pharmacists from 501 pharmacies to complete a survey. Non-contractors, non-pharmacists or pharmacists practising abroad were excluded. We randomly selected addresses, ensuring that they were nationally representative. INTERVENTIONS: We mailed the survey in October 2018 with a single follow-up in January 2019. Respondents were invited to provide self-reported answers. A prepaid self-addressed envelope was provided. We received favourable ethical approval. RESULTS: 102 responses (20.44% response rate) were received. Readiness to implement was poor: 4 (3.9%) said very much, while 40 (39.2%) said not at all and 29 (28.4%) said not really. Increased workload and reduced profitability were anticipated, accompanied with improved patient safety. Prevalence of 'substandard and falsified (SF) medical products' was estimated at 1%-5%, with erectile dysfunction at greatest risk of falsification. Different packaging would raise suspicions. Five (4.9%) had identified SFs (p<0.001 one-sample binomial test). Of these, three (2.9%) informed the medicines agency. None had been involved in any public health campaigns. Confidence and self-efficacy was low. Strategies to reduce SFs reaching the public are described. Pharmacist's role in combating SFs was elucidated. SFs were identified in deprived areas 4 (9%) more often than in affluent areas 1 (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Many pharmacies are not ready to implement FMD, potentially not capturing anticipated benefits of the directive, with greatest risk of harm in deprived area. We further validated a confidence scale. Limited public health campaigns may result in a lack of awareness among pharmacy professionals and patients. Limited awareness of technologies to identify falsified medicines exist, though further training is welcome. A worrying trend of under-reporting maybe prevalent. A larger sample study using this survey would be valuable.

Los medicamentos falsificados en internet y el proyecto europeo Fakeshare: experiencias y actuaciones en España / Counterfeit medicines in internet and the Fakeshare european project: experiences and activities in Spain

El tráfico ilícito de medicamentos a través de Internet es un problema en auge que afecta a la salud pública. Desde el año 2013, la Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) participa en el proyecto europeo Fakeshare, cofinanciado por la Comisión Europea y coordinado por la Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA). Este proyecto tiene el propósito de coordinar iniciativas desarrolladas contra el suministro ilegal de medicamentos, incluyendo la compraventa a través de sitios web que realizan una actividad ilegal a los robos y otros desvíos de medicamentos al tráfico ilícito. Este artículo presenta las actividades desarrolladas en este ámbito a nivel nacional así como las estrategias y materiales elaborados. Las claves para combatir o hacer frente a la venta ilegal de medicamentos a través de Internet son la colaboración coordinada con todos los agentes implicados, a difusión de campañas de comunicación para concienciar y sensibilizar a consumidores, profesionales sanitarios y organizaciones del sector sobre los riesgos que supone la compra de medicamentos en sitios web ilegales, la creación de bases de datos para compartir la información sobre robos y otros desvíos al mercado ilícito, así como la difusión de las prácticas nacionales a nivel europeo e internacional (AU)

The illicit trafficking of medicines over the Internet is a growing problem that affects public health. Since 2013, the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) participates in the European project Fakeshare, co-funded by the European Commission and coordinated by the Italian Medicines Agency (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco, AIFA). This project aims to coordinate initiatives against the illegal supply of medicines, including from purchases through websites engaged in illegal activity, to thefts and other diversions of medicines to the illicit trafficking. This paper presents the activities in that area as well as strategies and elaborated materials at the national level. The keys to fight or face the illegal sale of medicines over the internet are coordinated cooperation with all the stakeholders, development of communication campaigns to raise awareness and sensitize consumers, health professionals and industry organizations about the risks of buying medicines on illegal websites, creating databases to share information on thefts and other deviations to the illegal market and disseminate national practices to combat illicit medicines trafficking at European and international levels (AU)

An exploration of counterfeit medicine surveillance strategies guided by geospatial analysis: lessons learned from counterfeit Avastin detection in the US drug supply chain.

OBJECTIVE: To explore healthcare policy and system improvements that would more proactively respond to future penetration of counterfeit cancer medications in the USA drug supply chain using geospatial analysis. DESIGN: A statistical and geospatial analysis of areas that received notices from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the possibility of counterfeit Avastin penetrating the US drug supply chain. Data from FDA warning notices were compared to data from 44 demographic variables available from the US Census Bureau via correlation, means testing and geospatial visualisation. Results were interpreted in light of existing literature in order to recommend improvements to surveillance of counterfeit medicines. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: This study analysed 791 distinct healthcare provider addresses that received FDA warning notices across 30,431 zip codes in the USA. OUTCOMES: Statistical outputs were Pearson's correlation coefficients and t values. Geospatial outputs were cartographic visualisations. These data were used to generate the overarching study outcome, which was a recommendation for a strategy for drug safety surveillance congruent with existing literature on counterfeit medication. RESULTS: Zip codes with greater numbers of individuals age 65+ and greater numbers of ethnic white individuals were most correlated with receipt of a counterfeit Avastin notice. Geospatial visualisations designed in conjunction with statistical analysis of demographic variables appeared more capable of suggesting areas and populations that may be at risk for undetected counterfeit Avastin penetration. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that dual incorporation of statistical and geospatial analysis in surveillance of counterfeit medicine may be helpful in guiding efforts to prevent, detect and visualise counterfeit medicines penetrations in the US drug supply chain and other settings. Importantly, the information generated by these analyses could be utilised to identify at-risk populations associated with demographic characteristics. Stakeholders should explore these results as another tool to improve on counterfeit medicine surveillance.

Scale development on consumer behavior toward counterfeit drugs in a developing country: a quantitative study exploiting the tools of an evolving paradigm.

BACKGROUND: Although desperate need and drug counterfeiting are linked in developing countries, little research has been carried out to address this link, and there is a lack of proper tools and methodology. This study addresses the need for a new methodological approach by developing a scale to aid in understanding the demand side of drug counterfeiting in a developing country. METHODS: The study presents a quantitative, non-representative survey conducted in Sudan. A face-to-face structured interview survey methodology was employed to collect the data from the general population (people in the street) in two phases: pilot (n = 100) and final survey (n = 1003). Data were analyzed by examining means, variances, squared multiple correlations, item-to-total correlations, and the results of an exploratory factor analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis. RESULTS: As an approach to scale purification, internal consistency was examined and improved. The scale was reduced from 44 to 41 items and Cronbach's alpha improved from 0.818 to 0.862. Finally, scale items were assessed. The result was an eleven-factor solution. Convergent and discriminant validity were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the "Consumer Behavior Toward Counterfeit Drugs Scale" is a valid, reliable measure with a solid theoretical base. Ultimately, the study offers public health policymakers a valid measurement tool and, consequently, a new methodological approach with which to build a better understanding of the demand side of counterfeit drugs and to develop more effective strategies to combat the problem.