Foiling medical counterfeiters

Counterfeit medicinal products are a threat to the health and safety of patients around the world. Such products include drugs with no active ingredients or dangerous impurities, copies of branded drugs, fake implants and diagnostic devices.

The key objective of the SAVEMED (Microstructure secured and self-verifying medicines) project is to provide a solution to this problem by ensuring product pedigree and defending against illegal repacking. This will be possible by marking medical products with secure microstructures, and by modifying the tools used for manufacturing the products as well as the packages.

More specifically, project partners are incorporating diffractive gratings, random microstructures, micro-barcodes and contrast-generating prisms in steel tools. Specially created algorithms will allow cross-checking of secure microstructures on the product and on the package in order to ensure the highest level of security.

The consortium generated holograms partially hidden in plastic film that require light to be visible. Fast measurement devices were also developed for identifying these secure microstructures in a variety of coated and uncoated medical products.

Additionally, structures were printed on tablets and foil that, when superimposed, generate a visible pattern known as a Moiré effect. This indicates to consumers that the drug and packet belong together.

To adapt the technical research to industry needs, partners have analysed the criminal supply chain for counterfeit medicines and the direct supply via internet sales. Two patents have been filed in preparation for commercial application of the SAVEMED technologies.

SAVEMED's novel technology will put a stop to counterfeit drugs, thereby renewing consumer confidence in original medicinal products. Most importantly, it will reduce the risk of the potential life-threatening effects of this criminal behaviour.