A falsified medicine is one which is deliberately presented in a deceitful way with respect to its content and/or identity and/or source. Falsified medicines may contain correct or incorrect ingredients, incorrect amount of active ingredient/s, lack of active ingredient/s or with fake packaging. Such falsification can apply to both reference medicines and generic medicines.

Laboratory testing may be required in some cases so as to be able to identify whether a medicine is a falsified medicine or not. Falsified medicines can be very dangerous as they present serious risks to patients’ health.

The Medicines Authority regulates the distribution chain (all manufacturers of medicines, importers, wholesale dealers and pharmacies in Malta and Gozo), in order to ensure the  quality of the distribution chain, thus protecting the consumers’ and patients’ health. Concerns about falsified medicines accentuate when medicines are bought over the internet, since the source may not be regulated and thus may be very difficult to trace.