THREATS OF TRADE IN COUNTERFEIT MEDICAL PRODUCTS

Abstract

The outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago had a strong impact upon the increment of on-line trade in goods. This applies to the on-line trade in pharmaceutical products, as well. Different criminal networks used the COVID-19 pandemic for widening the scope, as well as the scale of their operations in on-line trade in unauthorized pharmaceuticals, as well as fake pharmaceuticals for medical treatment of different medical conditions including COVID-19. Trade in counterfeit medical products does not only mean illegal exploitation of intellectual property rights under the TRIPS Agreement and is a serious threat to the economic growth. It also jeopardizes the life, health and safety of a national economy citizens undermining the good governance, the rule of law and citizens’ trust in government.