Support for further measures that will curb the production, distribution and sale of counterfeit medicines in the European Parliament has been welcomed.
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has shown its support for the Falsified Medicines Directive, which received a plenary vote from European MPs earlier this month.
Proposals outlined in the directive will see the introduction of a pan-European system for medicine categorisation, which will see unique serial numbers and bar codes printed onto every genuine medicine pack.
This will have important implications for manufacturers, who may have to adapt their production processes as a result.
There were also further measures to make the pharmaceutical supply chain across member states more secure.
ABPI director general Dr Richard Barker explained that the vote will ultimately provide better protection for patients.
He explained: "Implementation of the Directive will require the involvement of all key stakeholders – manufacturers, pharmacists and wholesalers but also patients – to ensure success.
"With their involvement in the design, implementation and running of systems, we can deliver the highest possible level of patient safety."
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the pharmaceutical industry includes; Hoppers – mobile loading hoppers – flexible bulk containers
