Putting Patients at Risk

Patients who take counterfeit medications may be at risk in many ways:

• Counterfeit drugs are unlikely to be as effective as genuine products.
• They may also cause allergic reactions or unexpected side effects.
• They could make medical conditions worse.
• In the worst cases, these drugs could be hazardous—or even fatal.

When criminals make and distribute counterfeit drugs, they cost all of us. This cost diverts resources that could be used to help develop new drugs. Each year, AstraZeneca spends billions of dollars researching and developing new products. Our commitment to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from targeted diseases must always extend to product security. For this reason, we take an active role in anticounterfeiting efforts.