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" A new law aimed at preventing fake medicines from entering the supply chain was approved by the European parliament yesterday (February 16th). The law - which still needs to be approved by the Council for Ministers - should help to improve the safety and traceability of drugs and will cover internet sales. Just 12 MEPs voted against the resolution, while an overwhelming 569 were in favour of the new safeguards. Marisa Matias, who led the discussions, said: &amp;#039;Falsified medicines are silent killers, either because they are devoid of effect or because they contain toxic substances that may harm, or even kill, those who take them.&amp;#039; Ms Matias revealed that seizures of fake drugs have increased by 400 per cent since 2005 and claimed that the absence of a legal framework has fuelled the problem. &amp;#039;Protecting patient safety is the core aim of this directive,&amp;#039; she added. Experts believe that about one per cent of medicinal products on sale via legal channels in Europe are fake. The directive will help to address the problem by paving the way for the electronic verification of medicines. John Chave, secretary general of the PGEU, said that the measures should have a &amp;#039;considerable impact&amp;#039; on the European medicines supply chain. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a20645/eu-crackdown-on-fake-medicines/>