Merck promptly reports all confirmed counterfeit activities to regulatory and/or law enforcement agencies. We work with regulators and distributors to remove counterfeit products from the market, and with law enforcement officials to trace counterfeit products back to an original source of supply.

We continue to work with industry associations and regulatory agencies to develop a standardized system that will uniquely identify or code products to create a more secure pharmaceutical product supply chain. Through Merck's own pilot programs, we have gained insights into the use of innovative technologies—such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and two-dimensional (2D) data-matrix bar coding—that we believe are effective ways to secure the supply chain and identify counterfeits. In 2009, we supported the 2D bar code technology pilot project sponsored by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA).

A key part of our ability to identify suspected counterfeits is our advanced forensic laboratory that analyzes suspected counterfeit products and, if possible, identifies an origin of counterfeit material. Lab findings are shared with regulatory and/or law enforcement agencies, and may be used to support subsequent enforcement actions and legal proceedings. Merck also has forensic detection devices in the field to analyze and detect counterfeits in different regions around the world.

Forensic Laboratory

Merck maintains an advanced forensic laboratory that provides detailed analyses of suspected counterfeit products and packaging. Using a wide array of analytical tools, the forensic scientists use physical and chemical characterization methods to identify and, if possible, determine the common origin of counterfeit materials. Reports detailing these findings are shared with regulatory and law enforcement agencies and are used to support enforcement actions, legal proceedings and other internal and external actions.

As counterfeiters improve their skills and techniques, Merck's forensic lab continues to develop its ability to detect counterfeits. Our forensic scientists have pioneered the use of several analytical tools for pharmaceutical-counterfeits detection, and continue to explore new analytical tools that increase their forensic testing capabilities.

Public Awareness

Finally, we support efforts to educate the public about the risks of counterfeit drugs and how to protect against them. We work with Partnership for Safe Medicines and supported publication of a revised report on counterfeits issued by the American Council on Science and Health in February 2009 entitled, "Counterfeit Drugs: Coming to a Pharmacy Near You," which describes the growing threat of counterfeit medicines to public health.